FAYETTEVILLE – Cumberland County officials are trying to decide how many dogs are too many for county residents.

The legal limit is three dogs per household. But that rule was challenged when a man violated the limit by taking in two dogs from his son, who is serving in Iraq.

"The little lady was knocking on my door asking how many dogs did I have and I told her," Henry Carroll said.

When Cumberland County officials found out Carroll had five dogs living at his home, they told him he was over the limit.

No one seemed to mind until a neighbor filed a noise complaint.

"That's why I had to find out what legal rights the dogs did have, how much noise they could make," Carroll said.

For Carroll, it's not really about the dogs. It's about doing what he believes is right for his son serving in Iraq.

"Briefly, I was a little greedy and I said get rid of one of yours and I'll get rid of one of mine. We'll take care of it that way," Carroll said. "Then I changed my mind. I'll get rid of two of mine and keep his so he wouldn't have nothing to worry about."

Andrea Vogt has just one dog, a puppy named Charlie. For her, one dog is plenty, but Vogt understands that other people may have different needs.

However, she thinks constant barking is an annoyance, no matter how many dogs are involved.

"If three of them barked all day it would be plenty," Vogt said. "Adding two more dogs to the mix wouldn't make that much difference, honestly. It would be annoying with three."

Now as county leaders debate possible revisions to the ordinance, Carroll is happy to know that change may just around the corner for Cumberland County.

"As long as you take care of your dogs, I don't see why there should be a limit, really," Carroll said.

A Cumberland County spokesperson said the issue is being worked on right now. A recommendation will be made to a planning board and then to commissioners.

The Cumberland County planning director said they may make a recommendation of six dogs per household.