Another dog kennel will be starting in Marshall County due to the actions of the Marshall County Board of Zoning Appeals.
On February 9th, the BZA heard the special use request of Larry and Barbara Yoder to allow a dog kennel with up to 30 French Bulldogs for breeding with pups on site until they are 8-weeks old at 1420 Plymouth Goshen Trail in Bremen. The Yoder’s also needed a variance for the distance to the nearest residence. The standard is 600 feet and they nearest residence is 400 feet.
During the discussion it was noted they Yoders want to have 4 males and 26 females in the new kennel. The manure from the dogs will be spread on an 8 acres field and does not require approval from the state.
During the public hearing Sandy Yoder who is a neighbor said she was concerned with the noise and property values. She also said she is not in favor of puppy mills which is a manufacturing plant for dogs, saying, “Dogs are not livestock, dogs are pets.”
Steve Hochstetler, an adjoining property owner was concerned about drainage. He also said the Yoders are taking their household septic waste is dumping it in the marsh.
In correspondence against the dog kennel was Nancy Cox, Director of the Marshall County Humane Society. She said there are over 450 puppy mills in Indiana and 3 licensed commercial breeders in the county. Cox said the current owner already has 4 females and 1 male for breeding and she feels that is a large enough operation. She also noted that French Bulldog breed must deliver by cesarean section and don’t typically have enough time to recover before being breed again. Cox said there are plenty of lovable dogs that needs homes in the county.
There was also a letter read from the Human Society of the United States in opposition to the special use request for a 30-dog kennel.
There was a letter in favor from all three residential neighbors to the property.
After additional discussion on how the manure will be handled and the need to acquire a septic permit from the Marshall County Health Department for the new kennel the BZA voted 3 to 1 in favor of the special use.
The second request was a variance needed because the new kennel will be within 400 feet of the nearest neighbor and the standard is 600 feet. The first time they voted in a tie with 2 for and 2 against. After additional discussion, being that the nearest neighbors are in favor of the variance the county BZA voted 3 to 1 to approve it.
The existing rules and regulations for kennels in Marshall County from the Zoning Ordinance are listed below:
Kennel Standards
A. Purpose The purpose of this section is to provide for the safe and healthy housing of animals as well as to preserve the safety, use, and enjoyment of surrounding properties.
B. Definition A Kennel is defined as:
1. An establishment wherein any person engages in the business of boarding, breeding, buying, keeping, letting for hire, training for a fee, or selling three (3) or more dogs, cats, or other small domesticated pets; or
2. Any premises on which five (5) or more dogs, cats, and/or other small domesticated pets over four (4) months of age are kept.
C. Noise Setbacks Noise produced by the animals and/or operation of the Kennel shall not interfere with the use and enjoyment of neighboring properties. Kennels, including shelters and fenced areas, shall be set back six hundred (600) feet from the nearest residence in which the operator of the Kennel does not reside.
D. Shelter Sufficient shelter shall be provided to protect the animals from extremes of moisture and hot and cold weather. Animals shall be housed in a noise suppressing shelter between the hours of 9:00 pm and 6:00 am.
E. Fencing Sufficient fencing in and around the Kennel shall be provided to secure animals. Fencing shall: 1. be secure enough to house the species and breed being kept; and 2. be comprised of a primary enclosure for normal operations of the Kennel and a secondary enclosure to prevent total escape in the event of escape from the primary enclosure.
F. Sanitary Waste Disposal Proper sanitary disposal of animal waste shall be provided in accordance with all Marshall County Health Department regulations
G. Inspections Kennels shall be open to periodic inspection by Marshall County Zoning Administrator and/or the Marshall County Humane Society.
