Fuquay Residents Take Stand on Proposed Pet Limit

pet ordinance

It was standing room only at a public meeting Monday night to discuss a pet ordinance proposal in Fuquay-Varina. There has been so much opposition, town leaders are taking a closer look at the wording of the proposal.

The ordinance would restrict homeowners living on less than a half-acre to a maximum of three pets -- four or more pets would be regulated as a kennel. People with larger land lots would be allowed to own more animals.

Melissa Alexander, who brought her three daughters to the meeting, said her four dogs and two cats are part of the family.

"She [her daughter] was crying, when she first heard about it [proposed pet ordinance], she was crying,” Alexander said.

“I don't feel it's fair,” resident Glenna Doyle said.

"I feel it will be terribly unfair,” resident David Alexander said.

Town Manager Andy Hedrick, who helped write the proposal, agreed changes in the proposal's wording are needed.

"In the end, what we need is further dialogue and further discussion about this whole ordinance,” Hedrick said.

The idea behind the ordinance is to keep people from having a lot of pets in small spaces.

“It isn't fun to live next to a lot of animals,” resident Bobbie Lynch said.

Many of the people at Monday's meeting seemed pleased town leaders were open to change. They are even asking for community volunteers to take part in a committee to look at the pet ordinance.

 



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