Item B: Number of Dogs Permitted Per Household

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Number of Dogs Permitted Per Household Meeting Date: June 29, 2011 Agenda Item Number: B Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Katharine Kappa www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5309 ISSUE STATEMENT This work session provides an opportunity for the council to review the current limit on the number of dogs allowed per home and consider modifications to that limit. BACKGROUND Eugene’s land use code regulates the number of adult dogs allowed per home. Beginning in 1968, the maximum number of dogs was limited to two. In 2005, the City Council directed staff to modify the code to allow up to three adult dogs per home. In 2009, after receiving testimony from dog-rescue advocates and direction from the council, the City modified the code to allow a fourth dog for up to six months in any 12-month period. For context, the City of Springfield allows a maximum of three dogs on a residential property. Lane County allows up to eight dogs on individual properties outside the urban growth boundary. On average, the City’s nuisance enforcement team receives six complaints per year about either the number of dogs on a property or offensive odors associated with dogs. Staff experience has found that dog behavior, rather than the number of dogs, generally has a greater impact on neighbors. For example, one barking dog can affect neighbors more than three quiet, well-managed dogs. Over the years, Lane County Animal Services (LCAS) staff has taken the lead on complaints about barking dogs. In July, 2010, LCAS’s decreased financial resources limited the agency’s ability to respond to barking complaints. In the fall of 2010, City and LCAS staff worked together on this issue. As a result, a “good neighbor” information packet is mailed to dog owners when a barking complaint is received by either LCAS or the City Manager’s Office. If barking continues after the dog owner receives the information packet, the City has the option to take enforcement action, including a $250 fine. Based on recent available data LCAS receives an average of 17 barking dog complaints a month from city residents. The City Manager’s Office gets about four to six barking complaints per year. RELATED CITY POLICIES Eugene Code Chapter 4 addresses noise disturbances from animals. Continuous barking for more than 15 minutes is the threshold whereby a violation may exist. Eugene Code Chapter 9 addresses kennels which is the basis for the three-dog limit. Housing a forth dog may establish a kennel which in many \\Cesrv500\cc support\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110629\S110629B.doc