Depending on where you live, the magic number changes.
In Wilkes-Barre, it's four. In Hanover Township, it's three. In Rice Township, it's five, as resident Miller Stella found out in the last few weeks.Municipalities in Luzerne County vary on how many pets homeowners or renters can keep on their properties, but those interviewed agreed it all boils down to maintaining safety and health for the animals and residential areas."Our biggest problem is just the amount of dogs or cats they have in their house and we have to get them down. It's too much for the people to deal with," Wilkes-Barre Animal Enforcement Officer Rick Macko said. "A lot of times (the homeowner) is glad to sign them over to us."The question of how many pets homeowners can keep on their property sprang up in the last few weeks when Stella, who was keeping 15 beagles on his property, was told he was violating township zoning rules. He has since agreed to give up 10 dogs to comply with zoning rules. Although no one questioned the care Stella gave to his beagles, he was still in violation."Our solicitor is reviewing it, but it looks pretty clear," Rice Township Supervisor Bob Pipech said Friday.Stella's case is an exception, Macko said.Most of the time pet owners get in over their heads, continuing to collect animals. And costs rise. Dog food can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 annually; shots, checkups and other trips to the vet can cost a total of $50 to $200 and other expenses can add up to $1,000 or more per pet, according to estimates on the Web site of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Luzerne County."It doesn't matter if you're broke," Macko said. "Not having enough money to be able to take your pet to the vet is not an excuse. It's a lot of upkeep, a lot of expenses."Stella said he didn't think a clear-cut rule addressed the problem most people had with dogs in a neighborhood, from barking to sanitary issues."How do you decide too many is too many?" he said. "Doesn't it matter the care someone gives their dog? That seems to be the bigger issues."But municipalities need a clear-cut rule, Macko said. "I usually try to work with people," Macko said. "I might be able to help them get rid of a few and then I'll give them a week. They are their pets. These people do love their animals. Like I said, it just gets out of hand for some people."cjones@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2110
In Wilkes-Barre, it's four. In Hanover Township, it's three. In Rice Township, it's five, as resident Miller Stella found out in the last few weeks.Municipalities in Luzerne County vary on how many pets homeowners or renters can keep on their properties, but those interviewed agreed it all boils down to maintaining safety and health for the animals and residential areas."Our biggest problem is just the amount of dogs or cats they have in their house and we have to get them down. It's too much for the people to deal with," Wilkes-Barre Animal Enforcement Officer Rick Macko said. "A lot of times (the homeowner) is glad to sign them over to us."The question of how many pets homeowners can keep on their property sprang up in the last few weeks when Stella, who was keeping 15 beagles on his property, was told he was violating township zoning rules. He has since agreed to give up 10 dogs to comply with zoning rules. Although no one questioned the care Stella gave to his beagles, he was still in violation."Our solicitor is reviewing it, but it looks pretty clear," Rice Township Supervisor Bob Pipech said Friday.Stella's case is an exception, Macko said.Most of the time pet owners get in over their heads, continuing to collect animals. And costs rise. Dog food can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 annually; shots, checkups and other trips to the vet can cost a total of $50 to $200 and other expenses can add up to $1,000 or more per pet, according to estimates on the Web site of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Luzerne County."It doesn't matter if you're broke," Macko said. "Not having enough money to be able to take your pet to the vet is not an excuse. It's a lot of upkeep, a lot of expenses."Stella said he didn't think a clear-cut rule addressed the problem most people had with dogs in a neighborhood, from barking to sanitary issues."How do you decide too many is too many?" he said. "Doesn't it matter the care someone gives their dog? That seems to be the bigger issues."But municipalities need a clear-cut rule, Macko said. "I usually try to work with people," Macko said. "I might be able to help them get rid of a few and then I'll give them a week. They are their pets. These people do love their animals. Like I said, it just gets out of hand for some people."cjones@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2110
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