Dorchester County in South Carolina is considering limiting the number of animals people can keep at their homes, depending on the size of their property.
Under the proposal, introduced this week by County Councilman Richard Rosebrock, people who live in densely populated neighborhoods areas that are a third of an acre or less could have no more than three dogs and three cats who are more than four months old.
Those with bigger lots could own as many as six dogs and six cats. However, those living on the larger properties would have to buy a $35 annual permit to have more than three of each animal.
Rosebrock said that for a residential neighborhood this is a reasonable ordinance, and that the legislation is being introduced partially because the areas cat population is out of control.
The county public safety committee is expected to refine a proposal before opening the issue up for a public meeting, possibly as soon as May.
The proposal is expected to be met with opposition; two years ago, the county dropped a plan to require dog licenses after widespread community resistance.
Posted: April 21, 2006, 5:00 a.m. EST