LEADER-TIMES (Kittanning, Pennsylvania) 06 June 06 Kittanning targets exotic pets (Tom Mitchell)
Kittanning: It's not just dogs and cats, but rabbits, exotic birds, hamsters, and snakes. throw in unkempt grass and weeds for good measure.
Council last night discussed a growing pet problem in the borough. Council person Cindy Housely said that while dogs and cats make up the majority of animal complaint calls, council will soon draft a new ordinance to include more unusual pets like rabbits, and snakes and the like.
Housley said that despite current enforcement efforts, borough police receive a number of complaint calls every week regarding unruly dogs and cats.
"The majority of complaints concern dogs running free, barking, defecating or urinating on lawns or shrubs," Housley said. "Cats are a problem too, getting into garbage cans, fighting with one another late at night and urinating on basement walls, porches or shrubs."
Police Chief Ed Cassesse said his department gets about 10 calls a month regarding dogs. He said dog owners have a responsibility not only to keep their pets secure, but also to prevent them from creating unsanitary conditions or odors and from excessive barking.
At a meeting to take place at 10 a.m. June 15, Housley will ask council to consider an additional pet ordinance that would include pets such as exotic birds, rabbits, hamsters, and various reptiles including snakes.
"Some people in the borough, for example, have large snakes as pets," Housely said. "Our aim will be to hold owners of such pets responsible if, say a large snake, escapes. Large pythons or boa constrictors are capable of seriously harming or even killing a small child or family pets. We're not trying to keep people from having pets, but to make them responsible for their pets and to see that the animals they keep are kept in secure and humane conditions."
Housely said the exact wording of the proposed ordinance will be worked out at the June 15 meeting and specific problems discussed at that time.
Kittanning targets exotic pets