Fed-up neighborhood passes one-dog rule

LIMA (Reuters) - Dog lovers beware. A neighborhood in Peru's capital, Lima, has passed a law prohibiting families living in apartments from having more than one dog. People living in houses are allowed two dogs, while those found with more will be subject to hefty fines.

According to an order published in the country's official gazette on Thursday, residents of Jesus Maria, a middle-class area in Lima, have said there are just too many dogs -- and too much barking.

"Neighbors have complained they cannot live in peace, harmony, or good physical and mental health because ... noisy dogs disturb the peace," the order read.

Families with more than the permitted number of dogs will face fines of up to 700 soles ($237), and could have their furry friends removed.

But Maria Solano, 70, said she would never let that happen to her two dogs, Boni and Fiama, adopted off the street 5 years ago.

"My dogs are my children," said Solano, who lives in an apartment in Jesus Maria. "They aren't hurting anyone. I'd move to another neighborhood before giving them up."

The order says nothing about cats, or animals besides the dog.

(Reporting by Maria Luisa Palomino and Dana Ford, Editing by Sandra Maler)