No cat licenses in new ordinances

The Shelton City Council on Tuesday voted 4-3 to pass new animal ordinances that allow residents to own five hens, but no roosters, on residential lots of up to 5,999 square feet, and up to 12 hens on lots between 6,000 square feet and 1 acre.

By another 4-3 vote, the council also removed a proposal to require the registration of cats. The proposal called for a $25 per year charge, or a lifetime license with the insertion of a microchip.

Mayor Eric Onisko called the proposal to license cats “silly” and said he doesn’t want the city’s code officers to be “chasing cats.”

The council members have discussed the animal ordinance changes extensively, starting with a study session Oct. 26. The council gave preliminary approval to new animal ordinances at its Feb. 15 meeting. At its March 1 meeting, the council postponed voting to make the new laws official after debating some of the details, which they did at a study session April 12.

The council then postponed a vote on the measure at its May 17 meeting because Onisko was absent.

Chicken coops and other structures intended to house chickens have to be set back from any property by at least 10 feet, and not be closer than 30 feet from any residential structure on an adjacent or adjoining parcel lot.

The council members also debated how long the city will hold stray dogs after owners are informed their pets have been impounded. They debated three or seven days and settled on three business days after the dog owner is notified by the city. The animal will then be transported to Adopt-a-Pet or the Kitsap County Humane Society.

Another amendment that passed Tuesday established the maximum length for dog leashes at 8 feet.

Council member Miguel Gutierrez on Tuesday proposed the amendment to raise the number of allowed hens from five to 12 on property between 6,000 square feet and 1 acre. The eggs from 12 hens will feed a family of four, he said. That amendment passed with a 6-1 vote.