I am writing to express serious concerns regarding the conditions under which horses and cattle appear to be kept at a residential property along Heyburn Road in Chadds Ford Township.
Since mid-summer, I have driven past this property multiple times and observed two horses and several cows confined to a very small area directly in front of the home, behind a white fence, and along the roadway. The animals appear to be contained by electric fencing in what seems to be a front-yard pen with no meaningful pasture. The ground is consistently muddy, with no visible grazing area, and the animals do not appear to have adequate space to move freely.
On recent drive-bys, I observed a horse lying directly in the mud, with no apparent shelter or enclosure available. Over time, the number of cattle at the property also appears to have increased. In addition, there is visible trash and debris in and around the area where the animals are confined, which raises further concerns about sanitation and animal welfare.
Out of concern for the animals, I have spoken directly with the Humane Law Officer assigned to Chadds Ford Township (Providence Animal Center) and have also filed a formal concern form with the Brandywine Valley SPCA. To date, however, no visible corrective action appears to have been taken.
While I appreciate the need for confidentiality in enforcement matters, publicly available court records cite the presence of horses and cattle on the property as a factor in granting a stay of eviction more year ago. In light of the conditions observed, it raises serious concern that the continued presence of these animals may be prolonging an otherwise resolved legal matter, to the detriment of their welfare.
To my knowledge, this property is not classified as a farm. Under the Chadds Ford Township Zoning Ordinance, livestock—including horses and cattle—are subject to minimum space and care requirements. These include, among other things:
- A minimum lot area of two (2) acres plus one (1) additional acre per horse,
- A minimum pasture area of one (1) acre plus one (1) additional acre per horse,
- Adequate shelter space (not less than 120 square feet per horse),
- Maintenance of livestock in a manner that does not create health, safety, or environmental hazards, and
- Cattle must be kept only on properties with sufficient lot and pasture area (two acres plus one additional acre per cow).
Based on these standards, even a small number of horses or cattle would require substantially more land and proper shelter than what appears to exist at this location.
I am grateful that the township has been addressing this matter from a zoning standpoint. These standards exist for a reason—to protect animal welfare while ensuring fair and consistent enforcement of the law. Ultimately, this situation raises a fundamental question for the community: who is responsible for ensuring the safety and welfare of large animals in Chadds Ford Township?
Ellen Spoehr
Chadds Ford Township
