Resident: Dogs are creating nuisance
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

HOWELL - Man's best friend has turned into a nuisance for resident Maria Taunov.

Taunov, who has lived in the Freewood Acres section of Howell for four decades, said that for the last two years it has felt as if she has been living next door to a kennel.

According to Taunov, her next-door neighbor, whom she would not name, owns 17 dogs. Taunov said the pack of dogs is getting larger.

With concerns for her health and safety, Taunov took her grievance before the Township Council during the council's Aug. 21 meeting. She told officials the dogs are breeding and having puppies every couple of months.

"They bark at all hours, day and night," she said, adding that the dogs are creating a smell that is so bad she is unable to open her windows.

Taunov said her quality of life is suffering and she said she is concerned for the safety of children in the neighborhood.

Council members listened to her comments and said they would look into the matter.

According to Interim Township Manager Helene Schlegel, animal control officials were sent to West 2nd Street on Aug. 22 to investigate the situation. Schlegel said the officials found six dogs at the home in question and said they were all licensed. She said another count of the dogs would be taken at a later date.

Mayor Joseph DiBella said the council "has directed the township manager and the township attorney to review ordinances within other municipalities to specify what is a reasonable number of animals to have in a nonfarmland area. The township manager and the attorney will come back with answers as to what are the normal best practices we should consider."

Township Attorney Ernest Bongiovanni said there are currently no limits imposed in any of the township's ordinances. He said that as of right now the only authority that could possibly have limitations on how many animals a homeowner can have is the board of health.

Michael Meddis, the Monmouth County public health coordinator, said the county has no jurisdiction in regard to how many animals a homeowner can have. He said that is an issue for a municipal government.

"The only time we would get involved in such matters is when a public health nuisance has occurred. For instance, if there is an odor emanating from the property, insect or rodent infestations, or droppings. We would proceed to ask the property owner to eliminate the nuisance," Meddis said.