NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — The town of Normal is now allowing pet owners to increase the number of pets they can own.
At Monday’s council meeting, councilmembers voted to increase the number of pets to three animals per species. If you have two cats and two dogs, you can now have three of each.
The agenda packet said it allows owners to be more flexible without diminishing the town’s ability to enforce animal welfare, noise and leash restrictions. Town staff brought the matter to council as a way to be comparable to what Town Manager Pamela Reece called peer communities.
“In theory, somebody in Bloomington who has three dogs legally moves to Normal and their three dogs suddenly make them illegal. Or three cats. I mean, we’re talking a lot about dogs,” said Reece. “So, that’s the driver of the conversation. Do we have a reason to justify it? And I don’t. Other than it’s just been historical.”
Kathleen Lorenz was the sole councilmember to vote no. She said it’s not about the number but what to do when there are misbehaving animals.
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