Monessen revises animal ordinance

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Monessen’s proposed animal regulation ordinance will likely be passed during council’s Aug. 10 meeting.

It was initially introduced in June, but was tabled after some residents shared concerns about contents of the original draft.

Some residents were frustrated by the idea of limiting the number of cats or dogs a homeowner could have, and some thought the ordinance should include vaccination rules.

The revised ordinance still includes the limitation of pets by square footage, but the language says the lot-size square footage matters, not the size of the home as previously stated.

Owners of single-family homes on lots of 20,000 square feet or less can have a maximum of five pets total — four of which can be dogs. One additional dog or cat can be added for each additional 5,000 square feet of lot space.

People who live in apartments, condominiums or duplexes can have a maximum of two dogs or cats, or one of each, for every 1,000 square feet of indoor space. But, the ordinance states, this does not supersede any apartment, condominium association or homeowner’s association’s agreement or regulations if those rules are more strict.

There is a limit of six adult dogs or six adult cats on any one property, but this does not apply to any property that has received a kennel license.

“Except for species of fish, it shall be unlawful to keep more than six animals, 6 months of age or older, on any premises, regardless of the number of owners,” the ordinance states.

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