NORWICH – Will Norwich police soon be stripping tickets for people feeding stray dogs and cats?

Maybe, but probably not.

A public hearing on the issue will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Norwich City courtroom.

City officials received a tremendous amount of public response in the last few days, with a number of local and far flung citizens making their discontent obvious via email, Facebook and phone calls.

Some board members even had their city contact and Facebook information passed between activist animal groups on social media platforms across the country. The result was hundreds of responses and messages being sent to officials in a few days.

The proposal made this week is to consider implementing a law that is primarily aimed at banning the feeding of stray cats. Though as written, the law could apply to all animals, even bird feeders.

The proposed law states, “No person shall dispense, feed, or otherwise make available to any species of wildlife or cats, either on such person’s property or on the property of another or of the City, any type or amount of food in a manner that: 1) Creates an unclean, unsafe, or unsanitary condition. 2) Results in the accumulation of feces. 3) Attracts other wild life, vermin or pests.”

The entire city council and mayor helped form the law, which was then sponsored by Ward 6 Alderman Robert Jeffery, who is an adopted-pet owner himself.

He is trying to address complaints and concerns from some of his constituency over a growing and rampant stray cat population. Officials said the issue is primarily driven by poor city apartment renters who leave food outside their doors. A larger issue is a couple of problematic residences that routinely leave food out in bulk, attracting dozens of wild animals and stray cats every day.

The city is prohibited by New York State law from funding catch and release programs with tax money, that would spay or neuter the animals. The city was also hoping to address the situation in a timely manner. The process of contacting third party groups and then raising the donations for them to do the work, was becoming problematic.

“I have no idea what it might cost but let’s say each cat costs $30. If there are 100 cats, there are probably more, that would be $3,000,” explained Ward 1 Alderman Matt Caldwell, as an example.

The city has also had a hard time locating local groups to do the work.

Officials did attempt to talk down some of the most problematic city cat feeders with no success.

“It’s a real problem and encouraging people to be reasonable has fallen on deaf ears in some neighborhoods,” said Mayor Christine Carnrike. “Certainly, I applaud those who love their pets. I personally don’t have any, but I do love animals, but feral cats are more than a nuisance.”

So instead the city settled on something they could do right now, by trying to form a law that would ban feeding animals if officials considered it problem-causing. It sounds like common sense.

The questions many asked though were: “How do we enforce the law fairly? What about the welfare of the animals? Would this even solve the problem?”

Caldwell said Thursday he would not vote to support the proposal and wasn’t sure a vote would even take place given the response. He hopes the public hearing would lead to a constructive alternative.

Caldwell was in a minority when he expressed skepticism at a recent board meeting Feb. 5., asking, “My concern is, the question is, will this solve the problem?”

Ward 2 Alderman Linda Kays-Biviano was laughed at by some when she expressed concern for what would happen to the stray cats. “Do we have any idea where the cats would go,” she asked.

“Once they lose one food source they will go on to another, hopefully they go into the Town of Norwich,” said Carnrike. She then noticed a reporter was still in the room and added, “Just kidding, it is an unfortunate situation.”

Jeffrey responded by saying it was a serious concern.

Ward 5 Alderman David Zieno, whose Ward is also seriously effected by the issue, said he did not care so long as they disappeared and the problem was solved.

He said there was a similar issue with a local couple a few years ago who had many cats and left them behind, but after a while the cats just disappeared. He hoped for a similar outcome after the law was passed.

The board members did discuss alternatives at length however, with some seeming to prefer a trap and release, spay and neuter program instead, such as Caldwell and Ward 3 Alderman John F. Deierlein. If the proposal is defeated Tuesday, that option seems the most likely to take its place, though it may not happen for some time.

“We need to find a way to provide some relief for the people who are looking to us to solve the problem. We’ve done a lot of different types of outreach,” said Caldwell.

Caldwell noted the strong public response saying Jeffrey was being unfairly singled-out just because he was the law’s sponsor.

“The negative publicity is from people who don’t know him or don’t understand what we are trying to accomplish here. We all had our hands on this, he was just trying to address the concerns of his constituency, as has been trying to do for months. I commend him.”

Reader Response

“Animal cruelty is not the answer to an overpopulation issue. Perhaps the people feeding them are trying to lure them in to trap and release or take them to a shelter. There is a far more humane answer than starvation and ridiculous fines,” Meredith Conkey, Ward 3.

“This is absolutely ridiculous!! Starving animals rather than dealing with the real problem, and that is individuals who abandon animals and also those who refuse to spay and neuter. Trap and release programs are the only solution to this problem,” Cathleen White Albrecht, Ward 1.

“These diseases ridden dirty animals are of health concern. The humane approach isn’t solving the problem. And neither is 10,000 comments on Facebook. Do something to solve the problem before you condemn other people who are at least trying. The armchair activists have entered the building folks,” Jay Eff Kay, Norwich.

“This is not a humane solution. Starving any animal is wrong. If the cats are trapped neutered and released the population will decrease naturally. This was a poorly thought out proposal. I hope everyone turns out to be heard. There are other options than fining people for being humane,” Jennifer Lynn, Ward 5.

“If the community is going to get together to put a plan in motion, perhaps addressing options on spaying a neutering and how to regain control and keep under control is a better approach. Refusing an animal food that was born feral or simply abandoned is absolutely inhuman and an ignorant suggestion. Whosever bright idea this was, should be ashamed of themselves,” Teresa Bennett, Ward 2.

“I think this is not necessary to starve these cats, there should be a better way to take care of this,” Jerri Johnson Finch, Ward 4.

“These stray and feral cats have become solely dependent on their caregivers for food. Contrary to what some ill-informed may believe they are not wild and will not revert to being wild for food. They will starve. While you may think a feral is wild, they come to trust to a degree their caregivers. Some you can get close to, some you can touch and some keep their distance. They have become like this because of human neglect. They are not dangerous. Banning food does not stop this problem. Trap neuter and release is the answer,” Pat Katz, Ward 5 and 6.

“I have pointed out the cat problem a few times. The SPCA charges you if you try to help the situation by taking a stray to their facility. Why should those of us who are trying to help be charged for another’s crime. If cats were licensed like dogs the owners could be held accountable for their pets,” Darlene Smith, Ward 4.

“I feel like this is probably one of the most stupidest things I’ve ever seen. I definitely think people should be able to feed strays,” Dreah Modica, Norwich.

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