I am a newcomer, but I have a BIG problem, maybe someone can help us with it..
I have recently had to help my brother out, he came to stay with my son and I.He has 3 wonderful dogs, and we have one. Anyway someone choose to call the "dog police" and complain that we were breaking the law, by having too many dogs.Apparently there is a law, only 2 dogs per household.Well my brother is with us temporairily until he can get on his feet, or all of us find a place to live. My bro, is also not well, very sick. These dogs are his children.They are very well behaved and loved. Now we are told we must part with 2 of them or get a fine and have them taken away!! We are horrified. I can see where a law needs to be in place, for an unhealty situation,a woman with 50 cats or something of that nature. But these are 4 dogs. The ones that belong to my brother are older, and one was a "pound puppy" he rescued years ago. How can this be possible,there are so many dogs waiting to be adopted or being "put down", and now here are 2 well behaved dogs, that we are told we must get rid of!!! If anyone can think of anything we can do I would appreciate it. We do not have much money, as I am a single mom, and my brother is just coming out of a divorce and not in good health, this will put him over the edge..how can someone have this kind of control over our lives. People that should'nt have kids...do, and nobody stops that. Now someone can come to our door and demand that we sacrifice 2 of our 4 dogs....there is not much time given to us, I would leave the state if I had the money or job security..I would do anything for helping animals...and dogs are our first love. this is like some kind of nightmare.

That was rude of someone. Double check on that "dogs per household." Is it with in city limits, are you in city limits. Most cities I've seen have higher #'s in city limits and out side as well. Are you in a homeowners association were they are telling you 2 dogs per household. That would also make a difference, you could fight them. Go on the web and check you city ordanance to see what the limit is on dogs.

Now if all that is right about 2 dogs, I'm not sure how to help. That law really suc*ks and needs to change. Geez many people have 3 or 4 dogs so I don't understand how that can be. Also put this post over in/on DOG DISH (more people, maybe more ideas) PLEASE keep us updated...

katenick- here you can care for a dog that has a clear title of different ownership- like a rabies license something like that. Here you are limited to 60 days, but thats in town. NO ordinance if you own more than a acre of land.
Maybe he can get them licensed at his old address or something, or show the rabies with his name on it..
How serious are they? Are they threatening to take the dogs?

check out the sites below and what was done with "animal limit laws" and QUESTION THERE CONSTATUTIONALITY

http://www.akc.org/canine_legislation/animal_limit_laws.cfm

http://network.bestfriends.org/animallawcoalition/news/2717.html

http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/archives/limitlaws.htm

check this out - site at bottom
Two higher courts have struck down ordinances limiting the amount of animals per household. This issue is crucial to rescuers and fosters conducting life-saving efforts to take abandoned animals off the streets and out of the killing pounds.

The Minnesota Case - "An invalid exercise of police power"
The Pennsylvania Case - Court strikes down law limiting cats per residence

The American Kennel Club - It Argues Against Pet Limit Laws
http://www.nokillnow.com/petlimitlawunconst.htm

do a web search in your area, or tell us where you are and we can help, to see if there's been action to reverse laws. Hope the above "sites" can be helpful

Have you looked into the possibility of getting a temporary variance due to exigent circumstances?

Another possibility is finding a temporary foster home for them through a rescue organization.

Hi and thanks to everyone who reponded with such undrstanding and enthusiasim...especially "lovingpaws". Your leads to articles about others that have encountered similar situations has helped immensley. THANK YOU SO MUCH! We are going to appear in front of a judge in the near future.I intend to take some of these articles in with us to show him we are not going down without a fight and if I can I will involve media and whoever else isn't "afraid" to get involved.I will keep you posted as to what happens,at least I don't feel so alone in this fight, I had no idea of the magnitude of the problem until it has settled upon us. To be absolutly continued!

That is so sad! But what i would do ( and i am just 12 but have loved and been throught this all my life and love animals ) is give the two away to someone u know and trust! I did that with my cat i gave it away to my grandma and unkle so now i know were she is and she is ok! So i would say that is th ebesty idea. A safe hom 4 those cuties!well that is all,,


animalover



p.s. what state do u live in with a law of 2 dogs! HOPEFULLY not washigton becasue i livie there and i want to get A LOT of dogs!



ANIMALOVERANIMALOVERANIMALOVER

Your brother should submit to the town, a doctor's note that he is in your care temporarly due to an illness. Dogs are great therapy. Submit a list of vacinations. And yes call for yourself to see how many dogs per household. It could be just a scare tatic coming from somebody who dislikes dogs.

thank u for the sugg. We have appeared b4 the judge already,and at a lawyers advice,pleaded NOT guilty.Now we r waiting for the next date,which gives us at least another month to try to figure somethinf out,possibly move...who knows.I will keep u all posted,as this info may help someone else in the future.