Pinehurst loves its pets! I love seeing all the dog walkers on our streets and sidewalks, the cats who wander across my path, and even the rarer ferret, as long as it doesn’t burrow up my pant leg. Less lovable are the hopefully rare occurances of poop in the yard, incessant barking, and cats who dig in the garden. Lost and injured pets are heartrending. With this blog we’ll begin a series of posts on domestic animals in the city. Most of the material will be from the Seattle Animal Shelter website. We’ll summarize the code related to animals in the city, and how to deal with strays, noise, injured pets, the unleashed, poop, etc.
Here are the rules about animals allowed to live in the city. See municipal code for full details; below are rules for ‘normal’ size lots from SMC 23.42.052 Keeping of animals:
– Small animals: Up to three may be kept, except no more than one miniature potbellied pig. Interestingly, I can’t find a definition of ‘small animal’.
– Miniature potbellied pigs: must be no greater than 22 inches high at the shoulder or no heavier than 150 pounds.
– Domestic fowl: up to eight fowl may be kept in addition to the three small animals. Roosters are not permitted. Housing unit must be at least 10 feet from an adjacent lot’s dwelling.
– Bees: Up to four hives, each with only one swarm. See code on rules for placement of hives.
– Miniature goats: may be kept as small animals provided that males are neutered and all are dehorned.
– Exotic animals are not allowed, with some exceptions for institutions and licensed commercial animal dealers. You can see a definition of exotic in the municipal code.
Next post: Role of Seattle Animal Shelter
What a great idea for a blog. It should be helpful to us all!
How can you have hens without a rooster?
If you’re keeping hens strictly for eggs, there’s no need for a rooster. In fact, not having a rooster eliminates the need for taking the time to candle any eggs you collect. They’re only required for breeding purposes (& annoying the neighbours lol).
I couldn’t find a definition in the muni code for exotics. Any ideas what they’re classing these days, especially since ferrets, pigs, & goats are no longer under that category?
From city code: “Exotic animal” means any species of animal that is both: (1) not a domestic animal, and (2) capable of killing or seriously injuring a human being. Subject to the preceding sentence, the definition of “exotic animal” contained in this section includes but is not limited to:
1. All animals of the order Primates (as primates) except humans;
2. All animals of the family Canidae (as dogs, wolves, jackals, or foxes) and their hybrid, except for the domestic dog Canis familiaris;
3. All animals of the family Felidae (as lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, or cheetahs) and their hybrid, except for the domestic cat Felis catus;
4. All animals of the family Ursidae (as bears);
5. All animals of the family Hyaenidae (as hyenas);
6. All animals of the order Crocodylia (as alligators, crocodiles, gavials, or caimans);
7. All animals of the family Elephantidae (as elephants);
8. All animals of the order Perissodactyla (as horses, rhinoceroses, or tapirs);
9. All animals of the order Artiodactyla (as camels, cattle, deer, giraffes, goats, hippopotamuses, llamas, pigs, or sheep);
“Exotic animal” also includes all venomous reptiles and amphibians, (regardless of whether the venom glands have been removed), and all snakes that are 8 feet or more in length.
Thanks, Nancy! As always, you’ve come through w/an answer to one of my silly questions lol.