Sands Point: Without permit, 7 dogs max

The Village of Sands Point has adopted a law restricting the number of dogs residents may keep without a special permit.

Under the law approved Dec. 20, no resident may harbor more than seven dogs of any kind at one time unless a "multidog permit" is issued.

Village trustee Lynn Najman said that a problem with a resident who had multiple dogs prompted the board to look into "public health issues" of keeping many animals.

An owner of eight or more dogs would have to go before the village's board of appeals, which would hold a public hearing and inspect the dog owner's property, the legislation states.

The board would consider whether the owner had enough food, water and housing, and could keep the animals clean and provide veterinary care. Other factors include whether the owner can limit barking.

If granted, a two-year permit would cost $100.

Those with eight or more dogs have one year to comply with the law. There is a six-month grace period after a new litter of puppies is born.

Najman said the board felt that the limit of seven was reasonable and would protect the public while "allowing people to live their lives as they see fit."

At the public hearing on the proposal, she said, "There were people who felt that we should have absolutely no limit on the number of dogs and there were people who felt that the number that we passed may have been too high."

In the Village of Woodsburgh, the board cited complaints about cats when it passed a law in April limiting the number of animals in a household to six: three cats and three dogs. The dog restriction there had previously been in place.

Under state law, dogs 4 months and older that are harbored in the state for more than 30 days must have a rabies shot and be licensed.