Couple won't roll over for pet bylaw. Issue has become dog-eat-dog

By Jeremy Warren, The Starphoenix

A Waldheim couple must get rid of one of their cats and one of their dogs, or face fines for violating a town bylaw. Photograph by: Submitted photo 

A Waldheim couple must get rid of one of their cats and one of their dogs, or face fines for violating a town bylaw.
The two sides can't seem to find the perfect solution to the months-long dispute, and the town's mayor has resigned in part because of the issue, turning the usual hesaid, she-said of small-town politics into dog-eat-dog.
"It's gotten so ridiculously vicious," said Barbara Schultz, who resigned as mayor this week. "Rules are rules. I think all small towns struggle with pet issues at times."
Doug and Karen Canning moved to Waldheim last year. When Doug sought a fence permit from the town office, he was told about a bylaw enacted in 2008 that restricts property owners to registering up to two dogs and two cats.
The Cannings say the town granted them permission to keep the extra pets, but only if the couple promised not to replace them when a dog and a cat die. Doug registered the six pets and went on his way.
But the town informed the Cannings earlier this year that they have until Nov. 15 to get rid of one cat and one dog or face a $100 fine, which increases to $500 for subsequent violations...Continue reading...