Are pet by-laws enforceable?

The new by-laws stipulate that a person may not keep more than three dogs or three cats older than six months in a residential area.

It also states that residents must not keep a dog if it creates a disturbance by constantly or excessively barking or howling.

One resident, Lorraine Harding, who owns five dogs and three cats, says the noise regulation does not make sense.

"How are they going to fine people for animals doing what they are supposed to do? Like barking? Some neighbours have loud children who make noise. If you cannot control people, how will you control animals? How will I as an owner make sure my dog keeps quiet?" asks Harding. 

The City's MCC for Health and Social Development, Sakkie Du Plooy, says noise has to be regulated.

"We have to be technical about the noise, we can even go measure the amount of noise. If it's a dog that's barking uncontrollably and being a nuisance, we will have to go and inspect the circumstances. But we do noise control in general even from churches or houses," says Du Plooy.

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An owner of two dogs, snakes and a spider, who wants to remain anonymous, says the City should limit the amount of animals in homes where they are being neglected.

"There are a lot of people who keep lots of animals and cannot take care of them. It would make so much sense to limit the amount of animals in those people's homes. Then you have people who treat their animals like family, if you limit animals in such homes, then you end up with more animals in rescue homes," she says.

Du Plooy says the City does not have the resources to go to every household and ensure they comply with the by-laws and can only act on complaints received.

Tell us what you think about the issues raised.