Posted: July 2, 2009

Germantown — Two requests for animal fancier licenses are advancing to the Village Board with recommendations from a board committee to deny the requests.

Phil Secker, who lives on Bridle Path, is seeking a license for six dogs; Heather Hurula, who lives on Windsong Circle, wants a license for four dogs. Residents are allowed three dogs without a license.

The requests were made after the board last month amended the village's ordinance on the licenses to allow fanciers in residential areas with smaller lot sizes.

The Public Safety Committee on Wednesday recommended the board deny both requests based on complaints from neighbors.

Is six dogs 'too much'?

Trustee Al Vanderheiden, one of three trustees on the committee, said he had visited the Secker residence earlier that day. He said he found the three kennels outside clean and well maintained. He said he observed a sound-suppression system, which sprays the dogs with water when they bark. He was in favor of granting this license.

Neighbor Nancy Cummings, who lives on Surrey Drive, said the water system does not work as the dogs are constantly barking and the smell was "terrible."

"When he is cleaning (the kennels), I can't sit in my backyard," she said.

After she complained to the village this spring, Secker, who had more than six dogs on his property, reduced the number to three dogs that primarily stay inside. He said he is hoping to bring back three dogs.

Secker said the dogs, primarily beagles, are his passion; he participates in competitions with them. He said he is willing to work with neighbors to resolve noise and smell issues.

Thomas Barney, who lives on Old Farm Road, said he lives three houses down from Secker and did not realize he had dogs. Barney said he had no objections to the license.

Trustees Mel Ewert and Jeff Werderman, the other two committee members, voted against granting the license.

"I think six dogs on such a small property is too much," Ewert said. "You belong on a couple of acres."

Werderman, who is a self-proclaimed dog lover, added: "One complaint is probably too many."

Owner unaware of limits

John Hurula, who spoke on behalf of his wife, pleaded ignorance of the village's limit on dogs.

He said his family had three pugs and decided to adopt a 7-year-old beagle from a shelter this spring. He said the family has put its house up for sale and is hoping to be able to keep dogs until the family moves.

John Hurula said the worst-case scenario would be to return the beagle to the shelter with the hopes that the dog could stay there until the family moves.

Vanderheiden read some complaints of noise submitted to the village by neighbors. John Hurula, who left the meeting with his three visibly upset daughters before the committee voted to recommend denial, said the complaints came as a surprise.

The full board will vote on the licenses next week. If the board denies the Hurulas' request, the family will have 30 days to get rid of a dog.

Next Step

WHAT: Village Board consideration of two animal fancier licenses

WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday

WHERE: Village Hall, W17001 Mequon Road