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More PA insanity
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by tigers9 on May 27, 2009
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Mail this to a friend!
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Is PA going nuts???
Z
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<< She told the board it is unconstitutional to tell people how many homes or cars they can own, and pets should not be limited either.
"Dogs are personal property," she said.
>>
http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=140634
5/28/2009
Some Reading residents balk at proposed pet ordinance
By Carole Duran
Reading Eagle correspondent
Some city pet and animal owners don't like the way the Reading Animal Control Board's proposed animal control ordinance is shaping up.
About a half dozen people attended the control board's meeting Wednesday night.
Most said they opposed plans to impose fees on people who own more than six pets, not counting fish, over 6 months old, or exotic pets such as large snakes.
In the former case, the permit fee would be $50; in the later, $75, or a total of $125 if there were more than six qualifying animals.
Earline Fifer breeds boxers in her residence. She told the board it is unconstitutional to tell people how many homes or cars they can own, and pets should not be limited either.
"Dogs are personal property," she said.
Susan Ringer said she keeps reptiles, including turtles, and 50 rats, so the fees would be a financial hardship for her.
Rats are not listed among the exotic animals, but turtles the size of hers are. Ringer would have to pay an exotic fee for the turtles plus a multiple pet permit fee for having more than six rats, which she said are clean and well-kept.
"My rats are bred for an important genetic project," Ringer said.
Ringer also said the law discriminates against her turtle, since there is an annual renewal fee for exotic pets. Her turtle, she said, might live 100 years.
She said it was unfair that it costs far less to license a dog, which also has a much shorter life.
Reptile Canyon owner Todd Bagentose said the permits would deter customers.
He also questioned making so many different animals subject to the six pet limit.
"I'm concerned about the difference between six dogs and six frogs," Bagentose said.
Board members defended the proposed regulations, which also would cover colonies of feral cats, making anyone who feeds the animals their manager.
Chairman Barrie Pease said limiting animal ownership will allow the police or animal control officers to take action when there is a problem and more than six animals are found.
But they also said many details are still to be worked out.
Annual permit renewals might be $25, but the board has not yet decided if the cost for exotic pet permits will be per animal or per pet owner.
Some exotic animals might be exempt if they are nondomestic and not native to Pennsylvania, but are offered for sale by a pet store here.
Contact Carole Duran: 610-371-5000 or news@readingeagle.com.
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RE: More PA insanity
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by PuzzleRats on July 21, 2009
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Mail this to a friend!
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I happen to be the very same Susan Ringer noted in the article (thank goodness I didn't mention what else we have in public). They ARE going nuts around here. We will not allow them to do this. Even if we have o take them to court. Limts on number of pets has already been listed as unconstitutional Commonwealth v. Creighton, PA. Cmwlth., 639 A.2d 1296 (1994). but we are a home rule city and this same ruling may not apply but I'm be dam"ed if Animal Control thinks they can pass the limits or the fees.
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