Board to hold hearing on setting dog-ownership limit

There's currently no limit on the number of dogs a person can own in Hanover County, but the Board of Supervisors voted yesterday to hold a public hearing on whether that should change.

The board planned a Jan. 14 hearing on proposed changes to an ordinance governing the number of dogs an individual can have with a kennel license on one parcel of land. Currently, kennel licenses are given out for 20 and 50 dogs, and some owners have multiple licenses.

The proposed changes would limit the number of dogs to 50. For more than 50, the owner would need to apply for a special exception for a commercial kennel, which would require approval by the supervisors.

The issue was brought to the supervisors by the county's staff in response to complaints from residents about barking dogs and other issues related to kennels, said Jim Taylor, acting assistant county administrator.

There was also discussion about puppies, and the definition of a puppy, and how litters apply to the proposed changes.

County Attorney Sterling E. Rives III said the county doesn't require licenses for dogs younger than four months. If the proposed changes are approved, owners of puppies that push a kennel's total population past 50 dogs would have four months to find them new homes or seek approval for a special exception.

If the ordinance is changed, kennels would be given six months to comply or seek an exception. There was also discussion over whether those who currently own more than 50 dogs could be exempt under the new ordinance.

In other action, the board voted to eliminate an ordinance that prohibited more than two video games in a business if the games were accessories and not the primary purpose of the business, such as an arcade.
Contact Holly Prestidge at (804) 649-6945 or .