Over Public Objections, Warwick Zoning Board Approves Kennel | Community News

When: Zoning Hearing Board meeting, October 9.

What happened: Township zoners granted Stephen Fisher a special exception allowing him to operate a kennel for up to 60 dogs on a farm at 220 Church Road. Many of the 12 people present opposed the proposal. The 55-acre farm is within the township’s agricultural zoning district and is owned by Gideon Fisher Jr., the plaintiff’s father.

Quoteable: “I don’t like puppy mills,” said zoning board member Brent Schrock, adding that Fisher followed the ordinance to request a kennel on his farm.

Details: Fisher had testified that he planned to build a breeding kennel for 20 to 25 adult dogs. He said most would be female dogs to be bred about twice a year. National regulations limit the number of dogs on a farm to 60 at a time. He detailed every requirement for operating a kennel, noting that dogs would not be outside between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. animal waste would be composted in a manure pit 300 feet from the property line. , no waste would be dumped in the vicinity. creek, and he would apply for a state permit and license to operate a kennel.

Public comment: “What happens after you finish raising the females?” Elyssa Cheeseman asked. Fisher replied, “I would try to find them a good home. Otherwise, they would be euthanized. This admission follows many questions from those who oppose the proposed breeding kennel. Diana Wade of nearby Log Cabin Road wanted to know how a sick or injured dog would be cared for, or a female dog with puppies. Fisher said the dogs will receive veterinary care. Carol Herr from Lititz wanted to know what quality of life the dogs would have. Rena Grimmer wondered if Fisher would be able to keep the dog count below 60, and as a dog rescuer she said there were already not enough homes for puppies from situations. of “dog breeding”. Mike Patton of United Against Puppy Mills noted that Lancaster County has gained a reputation for having hundreds of puppy mills and that there are only six enforcement officers in Pennsylvania.

And after: Township zoning officer Tom Zorbaugh said he and a state inspector would do the initial inspection of the kennel. After that, the state dog keeper would be responsible for regulating the breeding kennel’s dog laws, with Warwick Township handling enforcement if the kennel fails to follow the guidelines of the ordinance. of the township.