After 11 years, Smithfield City officials are tightening the leash on how many and which breeds of dogs are welcome.

The proposed measure bothers Smithfield resident Amy Eskelson. She said more animal lovers would be howling if they realized the implications of amendments to the so-called kennel/cattery ordinance.

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to limit the number of dogs a person may own under the measure: four dogs or five cats, or a combined total of four. It is also proposed that multiple-pet owners be required to have lots of at least 10,000 square feet.

Although these amendments are "frustrating" to Eskelson, she is more bothered by another recommendation: City officials want to reject permits for owners of certain vicious dogs.

"Being breed-specific is discriminatory," said Eskelson, a musher who expects her permit to own six to eight huskies to be covered by a grandfather clause. Then, she added, "I understand their concerns. I think they're just trying to set some standards as growth in this city happens."

If adopted by the Smithfield City Council on Dec. 13, owners of any pit bull, Rottweiler, German shepherd, husky, Alaskan malamute, Doberman pinscher or wolf hybrid will have to get special permission keep the animal in a fixed dog run.

"All dogs are dangerous, but you have to narrow it down to the most dangerous," said Smithfield Planning and Zoning Commissioner David Price.

Council member Kris Monson said the stricter permitting process is an efficient way to help dog lovers coexist with all of their neighbors.

"If they have two dogs, they don't have to come in," Monson said, "but if they have four dogs, which sometimes have a pack mentality, we'll at least know they're there."

Eskelson, who offers dog-training classes each summer and owns a professional pet-sitting service, said pet owners, not breeds, need to be punished when a problem arises.

"People who spend time with dogs every day of their lives know that it's the people and the training we do with our dogs that make the difference."

abrunson@sltrib.com