06/13/2024
Make your voice heard for reptile and exotic pet owners in our local community.
UPDATE 6/18: Thanks to a HUGE turnout, including USARK President Phil Goss, the Borough Council has voted NO to this ordinance! Thank you to all residents who contacted the Council to voice their opposition and concerns. We will post updates if another ordinance is proposed.
Find a sample letter and more information at https://usark.org/24pa/.
UPDATE 6/13/24: A new draft is now linked (see below) but not much has changed. All “animals” (see definition) are still banned. Only “pets” (see limited definition) will be allowed. Per the definitions, many species including all reptiles and amphibians, most small mammals, etc. will be banned. Any species that the Borough does not consider “domestic” will be banned. Pet limits for dogs, cats, and birds still apply.
MEETING: June 18, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 1020 Lebanon Road, West Mifflin, PA 15122
West Mifflin has proposed an ordinance that seeks to ban almost all “animals,” and also has limits for dogs, cats, and birds. See definitions and explanations below.
Local animal owners must attend, voice their opposition, and contribute to the process. Remember to be civil and professional, as lawmakers may be unaware of how poorly this is written and the unintended consequences.
1. “It shall be unlawful for any person/owner in the Borough to house, keep or maintain any animals or pets in or on any structure, living unit or unimproved land in the Borough, except as is provided hereinafter.” This means that all “animals” (see definition below) are banned and some “pets” have limits. Only listed and “domestic” animals are considered to be pets, which means most species of pets will be banned.
2. There is a limit of one bird per “living unit.” (i.e. house)
There is a limit of three dogs and five combined dogs and cats.
3. Horses are allowed with restrictions.
4. Honey bees are allowed with restrictions.
5. “Animals”: shall mean any living thing that moves but is not human, i.e., including but not limited to, fowl, cows, swine, reptiles, sheep, monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars, leopards, jaguars, non-domesticated cats, wolves, coyotes, foxes, jackals, non-domesticated dogs, bears, venomous snakes and constrictor snakes, alligators, crocodiles, porcupines, weasels, badgers, elephants, hyenas, hippopotamuses, giraffes, camels, cattle, cows, hogs, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, raccoons, kangaroos, opossums, rhinoceroses, anteaters, sloths, armadillos, mongooses, skunks, venomous lizards, emus, llamas, alpacas, etc., but excluding “Pets”.
6. “Pets”: shall mean common domestic household animals including but not limited to: cats, dogs, fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc.
Read the proposal at https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24-west-mifflin-PA2.pdf.
NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF WEST MIFFLIN BOROUGH:
Take Notice that at a regular meeting of Borough Council of West Mifflin Borough to be held on the 18th day of June, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 1020 Lebanon Road, West Mifflin, PA 15122, Borough Council will consider a proposed Ordinance prohibiting animals from being kept on real estate in the Borough. Exceptions are provided for kennels, pets and horses. At said time and place you are invited to attend and to take such part as you see fit. - Brian Kamauf, Borough Manager
