Series of hoarding cases prompts McAllen to propose pet limit for households

MCALLEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — The City of McAllen is working on an ordinance that could limit the amount of pets residents have in their homes.

This stems just a few months after two major hoarding cases within the city.

“It is not really addressing the issue like there is a lot of overpopulation in the Valley,” resident Melissa Arjona said.

Arjona left work early today to speak in front of McAllen city leaders as they discussed the ordinance that would establish a limit on how many pets a person can have at home and require permits for those who have more.

Arjona believes the ordinance would only punish responsible pet owners.

“There’s already mechanisms in place to help animals, so like if you see a hoarding situation or animal abuse there’s already laws in the books,” she added.

City of McAllen City Manager Roy Rodriguez says the ordinance is not in response to recent animal hoarding cases, which led to 162 animal hoarding charges between three people in April of this year.

However, he did caution that it is a way to prevent it from happening again.

“It gives citizens, neighbors, an opportunity when they know that there’s more than whatever number we stipulate, whether it’s six or eight or ten, that they have a reason to call us,” Rodriguez said. “Our job is to ensure that we’re providing the safest possible homes for these pets.”

Rodriguez adds the limit they set would not impact homes that foster rescues.

McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos initially worried a limit on household pets could overwhelm code enforcement.

“That does raise a concern that people can just be calling and reporting and have our code enforcement running all over the place when it’s something that a dog or pet might be taken care of properly but not to the level that somebody else wishes,” Villalobos said.

Villalobos also said that he has five dogs and if he needs a permit he would get one if the ordinance does pass.

Ultimately, City Commissioners decided to table the proposal until they could reach an agreement over the pet cap, permit fee and how they would notify residents.

The ordinance will be revisited within their next two city commission meetings.

Arjona believes people should get involved and provide more feedback to the City as it could impact anyone.

“It does affect you even if you are not in rescue because let’s say you take in a dog that you see on the street and it gives birth then now you are stuck with six animals,” Arjona said. “It can happen to anyone.”

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