BREEDING DOGS, CATS LEGALIZED ORDINANCE ALLOWS LIMITED LITTERS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF CITY.

Byline: Angie Valencia-Martinez Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - A new city ordinance legalizes the breeding of dogs and cats in Simi Valley - winning praise from hobby breeders who until now were breaking the law.

Pet breeding would be limited to four adult dogs or cats with up to two litters per year and only in designated areas of the city, under the new rules approved Monday by the City Council.

Dog and cat enthusiasts have lobbied city officials for years to lift the ban on breeding in residential neighborhoods.

Maureen Kenton, who has bred Norwegian elkhound dogs for more than three decades, called the breeding restrictions ``a fair compromise.''

``It prevents huge commercial breeder type of operations from setting up in town,'' she said. ``It's also a relief because you don't have to worry about somebody peeking over your fence and saying, ``Oh, my God, she has a litter of puppies.''

Current zoning rules allow residents to have no more than four dogs and cats on their properties. Residents can exceed the maximum number of animals allowed only with a special-use permit, which requires a public hearing.

However, breeding of cats and dogs has been prohibited.

The size of property has been taken into consideration in the new ordinance. Whereas the breeding of cats will be allowed in any residential neighborhood, dog breeding is restricted to lots of at least 20,000 square feet.

``We got a workable solution,'' Councilman Glen Becerra said. ``It's still restrictive, but allows those animal enthusiasts to continue to do what they love.''

The ordinance will be back before the five-member council for a second reading in the next couple of weeks. If approved again, it will take effect within 30 days.

Two litters per year will be allowed and puppies and kittens must be removed from the premises 16 weeks after they're born.

Hobbyists seeking to breed from five to 12 cats will need to obtain permits, subject to various conditions, and can only do so if they live in detached single-family dwellings.

Breeding from five to 12 dogs is permissible only in so-called animal overlay zones, also with a special-use permit and subject to a laundry list of conditions.

``I'm 100 percent for it,'' said Tina Dunn, who has operated the Alaskan Malamute Rescue of Southern California out of her Simi Valley home for the past 20 years. ``It's a matter of a law catching up to what already is being done.''

Dunn breeds one litter of puppies a year to replenish her own dog count. She said that for years breeders lived in fear of getting arrested or fined.

Some of the concerns raised by city officials during the hearing process included noise, smell, traffic and public safety. The ordinance will be revisited in a year see how well it's working.

The ordinance is the product of two years of input from local breeders.

``I'm happy with the way city staff and residents worked together to get something that would work for everybody,'' said Councilwoman Barbra Williamson. ``That's what it's all about. It's not a final cut and dry, 'You will do it our way or no way.' It's about working with the residents.''

Angie Valencia-Martinez, [phone]

angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com