Glendale Council Backs Down, Drops Plan to Limit Number of Pets in Homes

Under growing pressure from pet owners, the Glendale City Council on Tuesday backed down from plans to limit the number of pets allowed in private homes.

After a hearing marked by heated debate, council members voted 3 to 2 to uphold a permit procedure that allows residents to keep as many as 10 dogs and cats in their homes.

A proposed ordinance introduced to the City Council last month would have discontinued the issuance of non-commercial kennel permits, under which residents could keep up to four dogs and six cats per household.

City law allows no more than two dogs and three cats a household, but residents can seek exemptions through the permit process.

“It was sweet victory,” said Bill Edwards, who owns four bull terriers and often takes in strays. “It was the dogs’ day. We fought for their rights, and we won.”

Seven people, most of them pet owners, spoke against the ordinance at the hearing, while only two spoke in favor. About 154 Glendale residents hold kennel permits, city officials said.

City officials said they proposed the ordinance to relieve them of the responsibility of judging whether a homeowner should be allowed to have a non-commercial kennel permit.

Under city regulations, such a permit is issued only after approval from the city manager’s office, an inspection of the residence and approval from a majority of neighbors.