For pet owners, magic number is four

Greg Risling

COSTA MESA -- No more than four pets -- that’s the limit for residents.

Hamsters. Lizards. Birds. Cats. Dogs.

And you’ll need a special permit for large snakes.

Fish are the lone exception to the rule.

The municipal code section clearly states the law but who, especially the

animal lovers of the world, really follows it?

That question can’t even be answered by the city’s Animal Control

Department, which monitors and enforces the law. Department officials

said they respond to 25 or 30 complaints about excessive animals a year.

Of those violators, only two to three are cited.

“I’m sure there are a lot of people who have more than four animals,”

said Costa Mesa Animal Control Officer Robert O’Brien. “There shouldn’t

be more than four because it may be too much for one household to take

care of efficiently.”

In light of the recent news about Costa Mesa resident Patricia Hotz, who

was cited for having too many pets -- five dogs and 46 cats -- some

residents admit they are guilty as well.

“I have five pets and had no idea this was some sort of violation,” said

Melinda Jenkins, who has two dogs and three cats. “I don’t think the city

should be telling folks how many pets they should have, as long as they

are taking good care of them.”

O’Brien said the law was enacted for that very reason. Many times, pet

owners have too much to worry about with their animals. Sometimes, pets

are neglected and aren’t given the treatment they need, he added.

O’Brien is familiar with the Hotz case. Hotz has become a friend to the

felines, helping more than 100 stray cats over the past 20 years. But

when animal control officials found 46 cats in her home, they felt it was

in her best interest to put the cats up for adoption.

Since she was cited in May 1998, O’Brien claims Hotz hasn’t done very

much to reduce the cat population in her home. She faces jail time or a

maximum fine of $1,000 unless she brings her pet total from 51 to four.

Hotz has hired a lawyer and is fighting the charges.

“We understand she loves her animals and we have been willing to help her

out,” O’Brien said. “We haven’t been putting a lot of pressure on her.

It’s just a matter of complying with the city code.”

Cities do vary with their animal control laws. There are no laws limiting

residents to a number of various pets in Newport Beach, although there

are restrictions on the number of dogs per household. The city allows a

maximum of three dogs. Any more and a resident must apply for a special

kennel permit.

“Most people don’t want more than three dogs,” said animal control

officer Mike Teague. “We rarely see more than that amount. If they do, we

talk to them and give them a chance to comply.”