Carroll Township family upset over animal ordinance

By Beth Hope-Cushey
For the Mon Valley Independent
About two years ago, Josh Taylor and fiancee Danielle Femc Vogt found the perfect home for their family in Carroll Township.
Across the street from their Wisebecker Lane home was an established farm. They wanted a country setting where their five children could play outside and learn responsibility with their pets.
With nearly two acres, they added nine chickens, three goats, two turkeys and ducks to their family.
But, their dream is in jeopardy, as a Carroll Township ordinance states no farm animals are permitted in a residential area. The Taylor family has been cited and asked to remove the animals.
Taylor believes their animals are not agricultural or farm animals.
“They are our pets. They all have names.”
He said their main reason for moving into Carroll Township was to raise these animals as pets for their kids.
“It is for our children. It gets them outside. It teaches them responsibility. They get up early in the morning and feed the animals. They are given chores with the animals,” Taylor said. He added that one of his children is working on a science project with two of the animals.
Carroll Township zoning officer, Dennis Butler said the township’s ordinance states that no farm animals are permitted in a residential area. The ordinance lists cows, horses and swine. It then goes on to include any animal associated with agriculture.

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