Washington’s City Council is scheduled to consider two options concerning the feeding of feral animals in the city during its meeting Monday.
One option would amend the city code to further define where the feeding of animals and birds is prohibited.
The other option would amend the city code to further define where the feeding of animals and birds is prohibited and allow certain groups and/or individuals to be exempt from the prohibitions.
The council also will consider amending the city code to decriminalize the feeding of feral animals and impose civil penalties on those who violate ordinances regarding the feeding of animals and birds.
The proposals stem from discussions about the feral-cat population in downtown Washington, with those concerns discussed at two council meetings, one in September 2011 and one last month. At last month’s meeting, the council decided it needed more information before acting on the issue.
The decision to seek more information, including decriminalizing the feeding of the feral cats, came after about an hour of remarks by supporters and opponents of the TNR/feeding program. The great majority of speakers favored the decriminalization option and continuing the TNR/feeding program. TNR stands for trap, neuter and release.
Currently, a city ordinance prohibits the feeding of specific animals in the downtown area. Currently, those cats are being fed by the Cats About Town program.
In a memorandum to City Manager Josh Kay, Washington police Chief Mick Reed recommended termination of the TNR program operated by Monica Ferrari and Nancy O’Neill, founders of the local Cats About Town, because it goes against the city ordinance that prohibits the feeding of specific animals in the city’s downtown/waterfront area. Reed’s memorandum left the door open for the TNR program to continue if certain conditions are met.
The council also is expected to consider a resolution opposing the imposition of tolls for using existing free ferries operated by the N.C. Department of Transportation. The resolution also opposes increasing tolls on ferries that already impose tolls on their users.
The council’s entire agenda may be obtained by visiting the city’s web¬site at www.washington-nc.com. The council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 102 E. Second St.