VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Town of DeWitt considers change to dog license limit
Sean Dempsey: They’re our fluffy friends, but sometimes they cause problems. The town of DeWitt is considering lowering the allowed limit of dogs for residents. Dillon Brendle is live at the DeWitt town hall where a public comment meeting will be held tonight. Dillon, is the town expecting people to be fired up about this issue?
Dillon Brendle: Yeah guys we’re just about an hour from the meeting. You can see people going in and out of DeWitt town hall that’s for early voting. Town councilman Joe Chiarenza says he’s not sure how many people will turn up, but he knows dogs are a touchy subject.
Brendle: DeWitt could soon limit the number of dogs you’re allowed to have. The town is seeking public input on a plan to lower the limit from five dogs to three. Town councilman Joe Chiarenza says the board has been hearing concerns about safety and people not picking up after their dogs. He also says space is an issue.
Joe Chiarenza: Predominantly, Town of Dewitt lots are not that big. Neighboring towns like Manlius and Pompey have bigger lots, but basically the town of Dewitt, with the smaller lots, is it three dogs, is it five? We want to hear from the people.
Brendle: One solution the town of DeWitt is already looking into is a dog park like this one, the off-leash dog park in Jamesville. They say the land for it has already been donated. Susan Fisk is a DeWitt dog owner, she agrees five dogs is a lot in a place like DeWitt but she says people in her neighborhood are responisble pet owners.
Susan Fisk: They’re probably making this decision based on a few incidents. I hate it when everyone has to conform because there are a few people that cause problems.
Brendle: Councilman Chiarenza says he’s a dog lover, but he says his job is to do what the people want. In DeWitt, Dillon Brendle, NCC News.
DeWitt, N.Y. (NCC News) — They’re our fluffy friends, but sometimes they cause problems. The town of DeWitt is considering lowering the allowed limit of dogs for residents. Currently, the limit is five, but the town is looking for public comment on changing the limit to three dogs per residence.
This comes after residents have complained to the town board about loud barking, the number of dogs in public parks scaring kids and leaving behind waste.
“We’ve had a lot of residents requesting to change the law,” DeWitt Town Councilman Joe Chiarenza said.
“Predominantly, Town of DeWitt lots are not that big,” Chiarenza said. “Neighboring towns like Manlius and Pompey have bigger lots, but basically in the town of DeWitt, with the smaller lots, is it three dogs, is it five? We want to hear from the people.”
A town hall meeting was held Monday, Oct. 28, but the town board said anyone is welcome to come to a meeting and share their thoughts.
One solution the town of DeWitt is already looking into is a dog park like the off-leash dog park at Jamesville beach. Land was already donated to DeWitt for a new park.
“I’m surprised people even have five dogs,” Susan Fisk, a DeWitt dog owner said. “They’re probably making this decision based on a few incidents. I hate it when everyone has to conform, because there are a few people that cause problems.”
Councilman Chiarenza said he’s a dog lover, but it’s his job to do what the people want.
The town sent letters to residents with more than three dogs ahead of Monday’s meeting.