The city said it was sticking with its plan and would use a “short-term solution” of rehoming and relocating the cats so they can be fed and cared for a until a long-term solution can be found.
Many of the protestors, including Michelle Cornett, a volunteer feeder for the Smith Park cats, said they wanted the city to leave the cats alone. During citizen comments, Cornett invited members of city council to visit Smith Park and see what the volunteers do.
Credit: Bryn Dippold
Credit: Bryn Dippold
Councilman Paul Lolli said, “Our city parks are not animal sanctuaries.”
Vice Mayor Steve West said he has been accused of being a “cat killer” and “animal hater.” He said these accusations are not true.
West said he’d be willing to meet with anyone to discuss the issue and “wants to find a long-term solution.”
Councilman Paul Horn said to the crowd to “hold us accountable.”
“Working together is always the way to go,” he said.
Cinda Lee, All Paws Matter president, said there are 16 cats in Smith Park that are semi-feral. Some have lived at the park their entire lives, Lee said. These cats have been trapped, neutered and released.
Lee said since the news about the cats came out, many people from the community have been feeding the cats, which makes it difficult to re-trap them. The best way to re-trap them, according to Lee, is for the dedicated volunteers to feed the cats.
The council recommended the cats be relocated to an area outside the bounds of the city ordinance. They did not specify a location.
Lee said her ultimate goal would be to get the city’s ordinance “amended or revoked.” If the city decides on relocation, Lee’s plan would be to relocate the cats to barn homes.
“[The cats] are not bothering anyone,” Lee said. “They’re not a nuisance; they are spayed, neutered, vaccinated. They’re not a health hazard.”
Lee and City Manager Ashley Combs agreed to meet privately to discuss a further plan.
“We’re wanting to work and solve this problem,” Councilman Lolli said.
A nonprofit cat rescue in Bethesda, Md., Alley Cat Allies, released a petition on Saturday to “stop the removal of community cats by Middletown.”
DanaMarie Pannella, director of law and policy for Alley Cat Allies, said the organization heard of the Middletown stray cat issue through its help desk.
“Removing these cats from Smith Park is not a solution,” Pannella said.
She said when cats are removed from their outdoor homes, it creates something called a vacuum effect, which causes a temporary decrease in the cat population, but more cats will move in.
“It’s not humane to relocate unless it is absolutely necessary,” she said. “In this case, it’s not necessary...it’s not good for the cats and it’s not good for the people.”
What you need to know
Smith Park is a common dumping ground for animals. Police Chief Earl Nelson said they are doing surveillance around the area. “We’re doing the necessary things to make sure we catch those people,” he said.
The department has followed up on past calls about animal dumping, Nelson said.
Middletown has one animal control officer. Nelson said they will evaluate at the end of the year if adding another officer would be necessary.
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