Changes made to number of pets allowed in homes

Recently,the Kaysville City Council considered amending the number of pets allowed in residential homes. The request was made by the Davis County Animal Control Department in anticipation of their transition to completely taking over this service from cities. They requested all cities be consistent in how many pets are allowed in homes of each city in Davis County in an effort to allow their enforcement division to be consistent, regardless of where in the county they are called and respond. They also made this recommendation based on their expertise as animal control professionals.

City Manager Shayne Scott explained that currently, the city contracts with the county to provide animal control services, and the county bills the city for their services. “In the future, they would no longer bill the city, but would raise taxes to cover their costs,” he said. “The residents likely will not see a difference in cost; instead of paying that tax towards the city, it would be directed to the county.”

The proposed recommendation did not differ much from the existing Kaysville City Ordinance. The first difference is that this ordinance regulates both dogs and cats. The current ordinance only regulated the number of dogs. Second, the ordinance increases

By Cindi Mansell | c.mansell@mycityjournals.com

the number of cats and dogs allowed (in any combination) from two to three and allows for a fourth if permitted by the animal care director. Finally, the ordinance allows for exceptions to the animal cap by allowing service animals and governmental animals (e.g., a police K9). These changes would provide some flexibility for residents who desire to own several animals while giving the animal control officers some clear policy direction.

The City Council conducted a public hearing on the proposed amendments, and there was no comment or question from the public. The council did inquire about service animals. City Attorney Nic Mills responded that the ordinance allows for service animals and governmental animals to be an exception. This could include trained animals to assist officials of governmental agencies in the performance of their duties and that are owned or maintained by such agency.

The council raised concern that allowing four dogs seems like a lot. Scott responded that for someone to have four dogs, they would have to go through an application and vetting process through the county. The process would include that prior to consideration of the additional dog permit, the location where the additional dog shall be kept will be inspected by an Animal Control Officer to verify that the planned location for the additional dog is sanitary, safe, and that escape, or nuisance is not likely.

The council voted unanimously in approval of the proposed amendments. Upon adoption of the ordinance changing the number of pets per household it was discovered that many chapters of the Planning and Zoning Code contained language regarding the number of household pets allowed. The council then took action to remove the ownership of household pets from the land use code. l

Woods Cross mom makes it her mission to feed kids in need

By Kaiimilani Crockett | Davis Journal intern

Michelle Benedict went to West High School where she saw lots of classmates who were homeless and hungry. After she graduated from West a few years later her and her husband moved to Rose Park where she saw a greater need for serving the people around her. Her small family loved the area and loved their neighbors and friends, when they had outgrown their house and moved to Woods Cross, she missed constantly serving her peers.

“Living in Rose Park, we saw tons of need and it was easy to jump in and serve,” said Benedict. “When we moved here, there was still a need, but it was more hidden.” Benedict missed serving her peers and sought for a way her kids could learn how to be service minded and serve their community.

After careful consideration, Benedict called the school district to see where her small family could help. She came up with the idea to provide bags of non-perishable food for students over the holiday breaks. They received donations from local businesses to buy the food and her and her family packed the bags. The first year this was done they were able to get enough bags and food to give bags to the whole elementary school. The next year, friends and neighbors of the Benedicts wanted in on the fun, they had more volunteers and were able to cover even more schools. The program grew bigger and bigger reaching a wide range of students and an ample number of volunteers from the community.

A few years passed and Benedict decided to create her own non-profit called “The Kids Next Door” in 2009. She received sponsorships from companies that allowed her to get bags of food to children in need not only for winter break, but spring and fall break as well. When students received the bags, some were curious to know where the food had come from, Benedict always answered “just from the kids next door.” Her goal was to teach her own children how to serve their peers and Benedict wanted the focus of the program to be kids serving kids.

The Kids Next Door program lasted for 10 years, and their service reached thousands of kids along the Wasatch Front. The USANA Foundation recognized Benedict for her outstanding program and brought her on to direct their local program, USANA Kids Eat.

Since 2019 USANA Kids Eat, a local program is working to eliminate hunger in Utah. More than 56,000 children along the Wasatch Front do not have stable meals at home and USANA Kids Eat works to ensure safe and healthy meals to those children in need.

USANA Kids Eat provides weekend bags full of non-perishable, child-friendly, and healthy food to over 65 local schools and organizations along the Wasatch Front. Since 2019 over 150,623 backpacks have been delivered to over 79 schools and organizations to children in need. With over 1,345,051 meals provided by USANA Kids Eat they are still working to reach even more struggling families to provide them with their needs. Not only does the USANA foundation serve locally, but they also send food to countries and communities around the world who do not have a sustainable food supply.

To donate money or volunteer to pack bags and get involved with the USANA Kids Eat program visit their website USANAkidseat.org. l