Boone County Watchdog: 10/09/14

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Boone County considering expanded breeding kennel regulations - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

By Ben Stanley
Rockford Register Star
Posted Oct. 9, 2014 @ 12:01 am
Updated at 1:57 PM

BELVIDERE — Accusations of animal cruelty and abuse aimed at a Caledonia dog breeder earlier this year have raised questions concerning county regulations governing breeding kennels. As a result, several amendments have been proposed to extend kennel regulations in the county zoning ordinance that would ban stackable dog cages, ban wire or mesh flooring in dog cages and kennels, and require raised beds for each animal.

The proposed amendments moved through the county Planning Zoning and Building Committee on Wednesday night and will be reviewed by the Boone County Board on Oct. 15.

Before a text amendment to county ordinance can be approved by the County Board, it must first pass through the Regional Planning Commission, the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning, Zoning and Building Committee.

Members of the PZB voted on Wednesday to bring the amendments before the board with the intention of eventually forming a committee to refine the amendments, which, once completed, would then be reintroduced to the ZBA, PZB and County Board for approval.

The process could take three to five months.