LOUISVILLE, Ky (WDRB) -- An ordinance meant to regulate dogs and cats in Louisville is now having unintended consequences for families with hobby farms.
When Metro Council passed an ordinance last year requiring more pets to be microchipped, the same ordinance also added restrictions on certain livestock animals, including mini horses, goats, pigs and chickens. That change has upset animal owners who say they were blindsided by the new rules.
“Families like ours — they’re impacted by this,” said Brandon Feusner, of Butterfly Valley Rescue & Sanctuary. “It has the ability to impact both rescues, educators, (and) responsible animal owners.”
Bandit, a 14-year-old Highland mini horse, was nearly forced to leave his home in the Germantown neighborhood because of the ordinance. His family said the new language made it illegal to keep him on their property — until public pushback prompted city leaders to take another look.
“What we’re asking for tonight is reasonable and constructive,” Feusner said. “We’re asking the city to restore the ordinance language.”
According to city officials, the new restrictions were passed as part of a consent agenda — meaning the ordinance was approved with several others, with little discussion or scrutiny.
“As it was originally written, I’m only assuming someone was trying to clean up the language,” said Councilwoman Jennifer Chappell, D–15.
A follow-up survey by Metro Council found that Bandit isn’t the only mini horse living within city limits — though he might be the only one animal control has paid a visit to.
Chappell said the goal now is to restore clarity and fairness to the ordinance.
“Obviously, the rights of property owners need to be honored,” Chappell said. “Are they able to keep the things they want on their property? We also need to think about the community.”
A proposal to revise the language is expected to be brought before Metro Council by mid-March.
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