We want to acknowledge the update released today regarding potential grandfathering language for animals impacted by the recent livestock ordinance change. While this may be a temporary step in the right direction, it is not the solution — and it is not the goal of this petition.

Grandfathering existing animals alone is not enough.

It may protect one miniature horse today.
It does not protect future goats, sheep, or miniature horses.
It does not allow responsible ownership going forward.
And it does not correct the underlying problem with the ordinance itself.

We are not asking for something new.
We are asking for the law to be returned to what it already was.

Grandfathering Does Not Fix the Harm

A grandfather clause only means:

• Current animals might be allowed to stay temporarily

• Future ownership would still be prohibited

• New rescues, 4-H families, urban farmers, and responsible caregivers would still be shut out

That means:

• No future goat ownership on smaller lots

• No future sheep ownership

• No future miniature horses

• No ability to rescue, foster, or responsibly acquire animals moving forward

That is not acceptable.

This ordinance would still eliminate backyard livestock ownership in practice — just more slowly.

The Ordinance Did NOT “Clarify” the Law — It Changed It

We must directly address the statement that:

“Ponies and miniature horses were included in this ordinance because they were inadvertently omitted from earlier animal control language. This was simply meant to add clarification, not to target a specific animal or community member.”

This statement is factually incorrect.

Ponies and miniature horses were not omitted from earlier language.
They were explicitly included — by name — in the ordinance.

Previous Ordinance Language

Section (5) stated:

“All livestock weighing more than 40 pounds, except horses, stallions, colts, geldings, mares, fillies, ponies, miniature horses, mules, jacks, jennies, goats, kids, sheep, and porcine species, must be kept on tracts or lots of at least 5 acres or more.”

This section clearly excluded goats, kids (baby goats), sheep, ponies, and miniature horses from the 5-acre requirement applied to other large livestock.

Section (6) further stated:

“Horses, stallions, colts, geldings, mares, fillies, mules, jacks and jennies must be kept on an individual tract, lot, or parcel… of at least one acre or more…”

Notably, goats, kids, sheep, ponies, and miniature horses were not included in this acreage requirement — meaning they were legally permitted on smaller urban properties.

This framework was:

• Clear

• Intentional

• Long-standing

• Explicitly written into law

It was not a loophole.
It was not an omission.
It did not need clarification.

The recent amendment did not clarify the law — it rewrote it.

What We Are Asking For Has Not Changed

We are not asking for special treatment.
We are not asking for new permissions.
We are not asking for exceptions.

We are asking Louisville Metro Council to:

• Restore the previous ordinance language

• Reinstate the long-standing exemptions that already existed

• Protect both current and future responsible ownership

• Ensure animals are governed by welfare and care, not arbitrary lot size

Grandfathering may be a stopgap, but it cannot be the final outcome.

This Petition Continues

This petition remains active because the core issue remains unresolved.

Compassion should not expire with the current animals.
Responsible ownership should not be phased out quietly.
And laws should not be rewritten under the guise of “clarification” when the text clearly says otherwise.

We will continue to advocate — respectfully, firmly, and with the facts — until the ordinance is corrected.

Returning to the old language is the solution.

Nothing more.
Nothing less.