It may be what the rest of the county is doing, but a proposal to limit the number of dogs and cats to a total of three per household did not sit well with two Fayetteville residents. The City Council will take up the issue on Jan. 4.

The council Dec. 7 heard the first reading of a proposed amendment to the Animals and Fowl Ordinance. Triggered by complaint calls over the number of animals kept in a household, a review of the ordinance revealed that the city does not regulate the number of animals that can be kept in a household, City Clerk Judy Stephens said.

The proposed change in the ordinance would allow up to three animals per household. If approved, the change would be consistent with ordinances already in place in Fayette County and Peachtree City, said Mayor Ken Steele. City animal control activities are performed by Fayette County, Steele added.

Fayetteville has provisions for issues of cruelty to animals and, like Fayette County, has procedures for dangerous animals.

Steele said the Animal and Fowl Ordinance had previously stated a limitation of three dogs and/or cats per household. That portion of the ordinance had been inadvertently omitted when city ordinances were codified, he said. The omission was found when recent complaints about the number of dogs and cats per residence surfaced.

Two residents relayed their concerns over the proposed ordinance change. Brentwood resident Claudia Robinson was opposed to the change, citing city residents that already have more than three dogs or cats and others that assist veterinarians and those providing animal rescue services.

Councilman Glenn Brewer said the city would respond only when citizens complain.

“We don’t send animal control looking for violators,” he said.

Steele agreed, noting that compliance action is triggered only if a complaint is generated. Robinson still disagreed, though on principle as much as practicality.

“So it’s a law for everyone, but it won’t affect me unless I get caught,” Robinson said.

Joining in opposition to the limitation was Maureen Olvey, a volunteer with Fayette County Humane Society. Olvey was concerned about the residents willing to provide shelter services for animals.

Often having three dogs or cats in their homes, those volunteers would be unable to provide the service. That is especially significant since the organization has no physical location and relies on the assistance of well-meaning residents to provide rescue and adoption services, she said.

“I know it makes it easier for animal control,” Olvey said. “But I think the county’s limit is ridiculous, especially for cats. I’m always opposed to laws that take away our freedom.”

Steele said he was not a big advocate of the change to limit the number of dogs and cats, but maintained his support of the proposal.

The council will have the second reading and a vote on the ordinance amendment at the Jan. 4 meeting. City Manager Joe Morton said the city understood the concerns voiced by Robinson and Olvey.

“The city is always open to any suggestions,” Morton said Monday.

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