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Cats running ‘at large’ in Powhatan, problem unresolved Published: February 11, 2010 By Michael Copley The board of supervisors unanimously denied an ordinance proposal this week aimed at wrangling the county’s cat problem, a situation in which cats are “running at large” and causing damage to peoples’ property. The ordinance would have added cats to an existing ordinance that prohibits dogs from “running at large,” according to planning documents, but supervisors were concerned the change would cost more than it would accomplish. According to planning documents, there are “periodic citizen complaints” about residents who allow their cats to roam free, as well as “increasing evidence that there are large colonies of wild cats [in the county]...” Cats found running at large could have been captured, under the proposed ordinance, and placed in the county’s animal shelter without requiring law enforcement to identify the animal’s owner. Planning documents indicate the proposal “is much less manpower and time intensive” than some alternatives, “and offers a more immediate problem solution for complaining citizens.” But Undersheriff Chris Dehart said enforcing the ordinance would require increasing, beyond capacity, the number of animals kept in the county’s animal shelter. He said animal control would need a bigger staff and the shelter would need additional funding for food, veterinarian services and more cages. Officials said complaints from residents are directed mostly at cats that cross onto their land and damage property. Dehart added there are between 12 and 15 colonies of feral cats in the county. One resident wrote on PowhatanToday.com, “I have a local cat that climbs on my car and uses my soft top to sharpen his claws, who is responsible for this damage to my car? I can not shoot the animal, catch it, club it or find the owner because they have no tags. It is just one more thing we live with in Powhatan.” But Regina Reams-Prigg, a resident who has volunteered with animal protection groups in the past, said there are humane alternatives, non-profit groups- like Ally Cat Allies- that she said would “salivate” at the chance to work on the problem in Powhatan. And Reams-Prigg said she is angered by residents who suggest killing the cats as a solution to the problem, and by the violence she has known the animals to suffer. One of her 11 cats lost an eye when someone put a cigarette out in it, and another was struck with a hatchet, she said, and needed hundreds of stitches to be held together. She said the cat owners who let their animals run lose are to blame for the county’s cat problems. “Keep your cat inside and it won’t bother your neighbors,” she said. Reams-Prigg added that feral cat colonies can be dealt with- trapped, spayed and neutered and released- so the population dies out naturally. “If you put a bounty on a cat’s life, it will be whole-sale slaughter,” she said. Sgt. Bozar of Powhatan Animal Control said working with outside agencies-like non-profit groups- to tackle a community’s cat problems can be hard because that agency has to get property owners’ permission to do their work. And she said while the work advocacy work groups do to spay and neuter feral cat populations keeps the animals from reproducing, there is no way for animal control to know if the cats continue to receive rabies shots after their initial encounter with aid groups. Bozar said animal control gets three to four cat-related calls for service every week- generally people reporting cats hanging around their property, she said. And she said that while most feral cats run from humans, cats with rabies have been known to bite people. District 4 Supervisor Scott Daniel said “We have to come up with something, we definitely have a problem with cats,” noting this is not the first time the board has had to consider a cat nuisance ordinance. A resident who spoke during a public comment period said a “blanket policy” seems inappropriate and Daniel suggested a complaint-based system be considered. What people are saying- comments posted at PowhatanToday.com: “Try to keep in mind that these animals are not here of their own choice…They are here because someone made a conscious choice NOT to take care of them…Many folks don’t do the right thing and spay and neuter..It’s NOT the animal’s fault they are behaving as they are genetically programmed to do.” “If your cat stays on your property, that’s great. But as soon as it crosses over to my property to kill the animals I support, it’s become a threat that must be dealt with!” “They damage my car, eat the birds I feed and make the neighbors dog bark, not to mention they spread diseases to other pets. Let the county put them down, then they do not have to starve,freeze, or have people shoot them.” “...what you might consider a feral might well be someone’s housecat..Granted they should not allow housecats to run free—they are a hazard to birds and wildlife, unquestionably. There is no excuse for not taking responsibility for your pet—-whether it be a cat, dog, whatever”
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Lucy Anderson of Powhatan
Jun. 29, 2010, 11:43 PM
There are some people who don’t know how to quit having so many children, and as you might imagine they let their cats do the same thing. But like me, have an indoor cat that doesn’t bother anyone gets annoyed with cat crap and cat urine sprayed on their outdoor stuff. I say do what you have to do to stop it. Thank you bornhere of Powhatan
Feb. 19, 2010, 11:55 AM
Thank you! YOU SAID EVERYTHING THAT ALL 77 POSTS HAVE TRIED TO SAY! Bornhere of Powhatan
Feb. 18, 2010, 07:40 PM
Brent..I agree with you on all your points in your last post. Irresponsible pet owners are the source of this problem, for the most part… And I also am not a fan of government interference in my life, in any capacity. Anytime someone from the government says, “May I help you?” watch out..They’re going to help themselves, alright.. That said, though, one way to really do something about this issue is to tighten up on spay/neuter regulations—initiated at the veterinarian’s office. While I hate to put the onus on veterinary staff, they are going to be the Ground Force. When someone comes in make it mandatory to spay/neuter, unless they have a purebred, registered animal that is of breed standards. A key component of this, though, is to make it affordable. Some veterinarians are absolutely raping people on surgical fees and adjunct services, and folks on limited income can’t afford to provide the necessary alteration for their animals. As far as animals at-large…There is no law stating you cannot allow your cat out. What MIGHT work is a bit of neighborly communication. If a cat (or dog) is annoying you, try to find out the owner, approach that owner, and explain that it really is a problem for you them letting their cat roam. If they are reasonable owners they will appreciate you doing that,rather than shooting, poisoning,etc. their animal. If they persist in allowing the same behavior, then I suggest you approach Animal Control, tell them you’ve tried to sort this out, and let them deal with it. You’ve done all you could. Don’t kill the cat/dog..Let Animal Control or the Sheriff’s department handle it. Don’t kill the ferals..Contact Alley Cat Allies and ask for their help in this issue. They are aware of the problem, and are waiting for the chance to assist property owners in helping these cats. Trap, neuter and rescue is a humane way of allowing these cats to live out their lives, not reproducing, and eventually the colonies will die out..Feral colonies can be managed with compassion—it just takes patience. It doesn’t happen overnight. I don’t have all the answers—by any means. I just hate to see cats (or dogs) killed, tortured or harmed. I don’t like to see wildlife killed, either, and I realize cats are opportunistic, instinctual hunters who hunt sometimes for sport. Please, though, don’t confuse those cats who are hunting to survive with the spoiled, pampered housecat that an irresponsible owner has allowed to run at-large. My housecats stay in the house, and my feral colony is housed in a heated, purpose-made house, with an attached covered run, but they are not free to run at-large. They are all neutered,vaccinated, and cared for. I enjoy watching my colony of bluebirds that come to my breakfast nook window every day to feed, and I realize if my cats were allowed to run free they would take their toll on the bird population. Brent of Powhatan
Feb. 18, 2010, 09:29 AM
Bornhere, I think we’re both in agreement that the underlying problem is irresponsible pet owners. And I know we’re both in agreement that killing the cats isn’t the answer. Ideally, cat owners would take better care of their pets, and keep them indoors. Unfortunately, not all will do so, even when they know it’s upsetting their neighbors (not to mention harming their cats). So, short of the county stepping in, do you have a solution to offer? Clearly this is an issue that has many people (on both sides) inflamed. It would appear something needs to be done. But what? I’m a fan of minimal government, and also of letting your neighbors live how they best see fit. So it really pains me to think that the County stepping in may in fact be the best solution! Bornhere of Powhatan
Feb. 17, 2010, 08:08 PM
Maybe the deputies need to do a house check and see who’s smoking wacky weed…..This whole conversation thread has taken a very drastic wrong turn… I’ll wait until it gets productive again… Brent of Powhatan
Feb. 17, 2010, 06:06 PM
Wild animals are part of nature - that’s why you don’t hear me complaining about what wild animals are doing. By your logic, it would be perfectly alright if I let my dog roam the neighborhood killing your cats. After all, dogs kill cats. Are you really saying you wouldn’t mind my dog killing your cats? And your comment implying people killing people isn’t a big deal is just twisted! Maybe you really are a sociopath - it sure would explain a lot! No I won't drop it of powhatan
Feb. 17, 2010, 05:58 PM
Brent it’s nature! Aminals kills each other, humans kill each other, dude… It’s nature! Snaks kill just as many birds as cats! Chuckles of Country
Feb. 17, 2010, 04:50 PM
Maybe we should send all the stray cats we catch to this guy since animal control does not have anymore room. Meet Beppe Bigazzi. Cat Stew…sounds yummy!! Brent of Powhatan
Feb. 17, 2010, 04:14 PM
I know cats need to eat. That’s why I don’t mind feral cats. House cats are generally well fed, but that doesn’t stop them from killing. The fact is, cats don’t kill just to eat. Even a well-fed cat will kill any bird it can manage to catch. It’s not about eating; it’s about catching prey. Do you not mind your cats killing birds? I’ve watched a cat slink away after destroying a nest full of baby birds (it was in a wreath on my front door), killing them all. That could have been your cat (it wasn’t a stray) - does that make you proud? No I Wont Drop It of Powhatan
Feb. 17, 2010, 03:56 PM
Brent, True animal lovers understand the fact that all animals have to eat! Submit Your Comments Below |
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