Chickens, horses & bears: Top five animal stories from 2018

Hanover got a surprise visitor back in May

Numerous reports of a bear walking around the borough popped up on Facebook, and a one-year-old male black bear was later found in a tree in the 100 block of Ruth Avenue.

The bear was tranquilized, then lowered out of the tree with a rope. It was then put into a bear trap, was taken to a wooded area and released.

The bear probably would have found his way out of town on his own, Hanover Borough Police Chief Chad Martin said at the time, but because of the holiday weekend and high traffic, they wanted to remove the bear to avoid crashes and other possible incidents.

Here are four other animal stories from 2018: 

How many chickens are too many?

Ashlee Vandewater, who lives in the 100 block of 3rd Street in Hanover, operates a backyard chicken coop with 17 hens for their eggs.

But in December 2017, the Hanover Borough Council approved an animal ordinance that, in part, required for chicken owners within the borough to apply for a permit. The ruling limits residential chickens to a maximum of four per lot.

The four-chicken limit came from researching other municipalities and determining that four were enough to sustain a family of five, Bowersox stated.

"I thought the council was very generous in allowing four chickens," he said, adding that some people did not want the borough to allow them at all. 

If the council is unwilling to amend the ordinance, residents like Vandewater with more than four chickens will be "grandfathered in" and must let their chickens die off naturally until there are four, at most, remaining, Bowersox said.

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Complaints about Land of Little Horses 

The Adams County SPCA made an unannounced inspection at the Land of Little Horses after receiving a complaint on April 27

Abigail Avery, the humane officer and shelter manager, wrote in a Facebook post that "the owner welcomed the visit," and they were escorted throughout the property to evaluate the animals and their living conditions. The animals had clean pens and potable water.

But a few days later, the non-profit organization received another anonymous complaint that included photos of a horse named "Jingles." Jingles was examined and blood test on the horse came back normal. 

Cpl. Michael Spada, an animal cruelty officer with the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, also toured the facility and spoke with the owners, the veterinarian and employees. Spada agreed with Avery's findings that there were no violations of state law. 

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It's not a zoo: East Coast Exotic Animal Rescue looks to better animals' lives

One of the first things visitors to the East Coast Exotic Animal Rescue in Fairfield learn is that the rescue is not a zoo.

That sentiment is firmly held by the caretakers at the rescue, including its director of development, Melissa Bishop, who has been with the rescue for 21 years.

"The animals that come through here now just become our family. We do no breeding, selling, trading, anything like that. They're just like your dog or cat at home, they're part of your family," Bishop said.  

Cats strut their stuff in Gettysburg 

The Catfederacy Cat Club of Gettysburg held its St. Catty's Day Celebration in March 2018. 

Tons of cute cats. What more could you want? 

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