Campbell city leaders are making greater strides at protecting animals in town who are kept as outside pets. This comes as a new ordinance on animal enclosures could go into effect as soon as next month.

City officials believe this will not only help keep animals safe but it could lead to blight remediation as well. 

Blight continues to be a major issue for people living in Campbell. While efforts are being made by city officials to clean up blight in a variety of ways, an enclosure ordinance for animals was moved to a third reading Wednesday.

"If you want to have an animal in the City of Campbell, you should treat it like a family member and keep it inside," said Council President George Levendis. Levendis said the city could not implement a law entirely banning outside pets, but they can detail strict restrictions in the ordinance expected to pass in late January.

Campbell officials say animals that live outside are often not properly taken care of. Aside from the animals' safety, neighbors often hear constant barking and see deplorable conditions that attract rodents, insects, and diseases. That's why a no-tethering ordinance was passed in 2022. Campbell is the only town in Ohio to have such an ordinance. 

The drafted enclosure ordinance also reviewed by PETA would require outside animal owners to have a space 600 square feet or bigger for each pet that protects them from weather elements. Animals also can't stay outside if it's colder than 35 degrees or warmer than 85 degrees. They must be brought inside during National Weather Emergencies. Homeowners would also need a permit from the city.

The draft also states feces and debris must be disposed of regularly and animals can not be enclosed on a concrete surface. Animals are not permitted to be tethered inside the enclosure.  

"Once the enclosure is built, then they're going to have to come out to city hall and we're going to send out code enforcement and inspect this enclosure to make sure it meets the criteria of the ordinance," Levendis said. "And if it doesn't, it's going to have to be corrected."

Councilman Timothy O'Bryan rescued his dog from an abusive enclosure so he feels the responsibility of implementing these restrictions.

"Putting this in place will make it known that Campbell isn't going to put up with any dog abuse whatsoever," O'Bryan said. "Whether it's locking your dog up in a small cage, whether you're packing a bunch of dogs in a small cage, whatever the story is, it'll teach you a lesson."

Levendis added police will be patrolling neighborhoods regularly to ensure no homeowners are violating the rules. 

The ordinance is expected to be passed later this month, and take effect 30 days after it passes. If animal owners violate the ordinance, the animals will be seized and owners will be handed a first-degree misdemeanor.

This comes as Campbell continues to demolish over 100 abandoned and dilapidated homes. Homeowners could also receive a fine for unkept properties.

The next meeting is scheduled for January 24.