HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 04-25 Feline freedom founders THE REVIEW Feline freedom founders
By MELANIE WAAGE The proposed ordinance also has a "Well,I think this action would give the
section on nuisance, A cat shall be citizens in Maplewood some recourse to
A proposed ordinance for control of deemed a nuisance if the cat is off the say to a neighbor,you can't let your cats
domestic cats received its first reading at property without a leash,or not under the run wild,"Belisle said."Perhaps this will
the April 19 Maplewood City Council owner's control;the cat commits damage be the beginning to make owners more
meeting. The city staff has received to another person or their property,such responsible for their cats."
requests for some sort of control of as damaging plantings, structures, or The council agreed to add to the or-
domestic cats,varying from licensing to deposits fecal material on property other dinance that each household be limited to
Qs. leash restraints. than the owners,or which scratches or two domestic cats,over three months of
Cs Some of the letters Police Chief Dick bites a person,or which howls,or mews age.If an owner wants to keep more,they
a Schaller has received complain about the loudly at night,disturbing others. will have to apply for a small kennel
N nuisance unleashed cats cause for rab- "I think the ordinance is technically license.
h\ bits,squirrels,birds and other wildlife.A and legally good,"Belisle said. "But I The penalty for persons violating the
Zfew of the letters even complain about think the additional bureaucracy for$1.50 ordinance will be a petit misdemeanor
neighbors cats coming into their yards, per cat would require additional help to and could be punishable by a fine of not
0 and using their back porch and lawn as"a keep them under control. more than$100.
cat box."To date,these citizens have had "My suggested ordinance was based on Unrestrained cats can be taken by the
very little recourse when they feel their New Brighton's,Very few have license Maplewood police,the city animal control
rights are being violated. laws." officer,or the Humane Society and im-
MAPLEWOOD resident Jon Belisle, CITY MANAGER Barry Evans com- pounded in an animal shelter. Owners
2594 Brookview Drive,was present at the mented that he didn't see how the city would have five days to claim their cats,
council meeting to give his input on the could have a restraint law without the or the cats can be destroyed.
proposed ordinance. He had orginally issuing of license tabs. THE SECOND reading and final
suggested the ordinance to the council,in "There would be no way to notify the adoption of the proposed ordinance will
order to give all citizens the right to owner if the cat were picked up off their take place at the next regular city council
recourse. property,"Evans said. meeting,Thursday,May 3,at 7:30 p.m.
"When I suggested this,I wasn't sure The council discussed the costs the new The meetings are held in the Municipal
we needed to license cats,"Belisle said, ordinance might add,but according to Administration Building,1380 Frost Ave.,
"I'm a cat lover.I prefer to just lease Police Chief Dick Schaller, it shouldn't third floor.
cats," increase the costs at all. - The council urges any concerned
The proposed ordinance would require "The dog catcher can just stop and pick citizens to appear.
each cat owner acquire a permit each up stray cats when he sees them,"
year for$1.50 for any cat over three Schaller said. "He's already driving
months of age;no permit will be issued around and he can be picking up cats as 1
unless there is a certificate of vaccination well as dogs."
for rabies not more than one year prior to Evans commented that probably the
the expiration of the license; the city hardest part would be trying to catch the
clerk will issue a metal tag,or plastic,to cats.But,again,Schaller said this wasn't
be fastened to the cat's collar or harness too much of a problem.
and shall be worn at all times;and all cats Evans reminded the council that when a
shall be restrained when off the owner's city has an ordinance,citizens expect it to
property. be enforced.