Plea on Guide Dogs Delays Law Limiting Pets

After a Glendale woman who raises dogs for the blind in her home pleaded her case before the Glendale City Council, members Tuesday postponed action on an ordinance that would limit the number of dogs and cats allowed in homes.

Councilwoman Ginger Bremberg said she would make sure the ordinance did not curtail the raising of guide dogs.

The ordinance would discontinue the issuance of non-commercial-kennel permits under which Glendale residents can keep up to four dogs and six cats in their homes. The council is expected to vote on the matter at a meeting June 21.

City law now allows no more than two dogs and cats per household but provides for exceptions through the permit process.

A grandfather clause in the ordinance would exempt pet owners possessing permits for non-commercial kennels. However, pet owners would be unable to replace pets if the number of dogs and cats in their home exceeds city law.

Susan Koch said at the meeting that the proposed ordinance threatened her hobby of raising dogs for the International Guiding Eyes School, which trains guide dogs for the blind. Koch owns two dogs of her own and for 13 years has held a non-commercial-kennel permit that allows her to train one puppy at a time for the school in her home.

Council members said they assumed guide dogs were exempt from any such ordinance but would amend the law to make that clear.