K-9 fence to be dismantled

Chain link fence installed by Friends of the Chester County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit in violation of township code

POCOPSON » What goes up sometimes must come down.

Plans call for a 6-foot high chain link fence constructed by the Friends of the Chester County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit to likely be dismantled and removed sometime this week.

Hundreds of feet of fencing was constructed about three weeks ago on South Wawaset Road, within view of Pocopson Home.

The fencing was constructed to enhance the safety capabilities of all Chester County Sheriff’s Office K-9s.

John O’Neal, Newlin Township resident, said the fence was “in your face” and like a “thumb in your eye.

“I’m glad that it’s gone,” he said.

O’Neal said that the fencing protecting the Chester County Prison, a quarter-mile away, cannot be viewed from the Wawaset Road, owing to how the site was designed, with a berm and vegetation hiding the fencing.

Pocopson Township morning receptionist Ricki Stumpo said that chain link fences are not allowed by code in the township.

She said the Friends of the K-9 Unit did not first obtain a permit prior to building the fence.

“They’ve chosen to take it down,” Stumpo said. “It’s a moot point and it’s their decision on where they go from here.”

The organization will likely submit an application for a redesigned fence and to relocate the training site, according to Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh.

“The Friends of the Chester County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit fully supports relocating the fence,” Welsh said. “The goal is to ensure that the K-9s can continue to be a valuable resource to citizens as well as law enforcement.”