Prince Rupert council hears concerns about feral cat population

From a large feral cat population to 2 calls about aggressive dogs. Yet the problem they say is mainly the dogs that are preceived to be dangerous. Two calls! Wow, I'd be shaking in my boots. *conners states sarcasticly* Come on people!!! Take responsibility with animals!


Prince Rupert council hears concerns about feral cat population
(BC News) Thursday, 12 July 2007
by Leanne Ritchie
Prince Rupert Daily News


PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. (CP) - The city has a huge population of feral cats, many of them not in the best of health, says Coun. Joy Thorkelson.


“It's becoming an issue that is being questioned,” said Thorkelson.


With some people who have complained suggesting the feral population be spayed or neutered in order to reduce the future population, she recommended contacting the SPCA to find out what other communities have done.


Council has received a letter asking the city to look at limiting the number of cats that people can own.


Coun. Sheila Gordon-Payne said people have also been complaining about cats roaming into other people's yards and messing up their gardens.


She questioned whether the city could look at licensing cats and limiting the number of cats a resident could own.


Earlier this week, representatives from the Prince Rupert SPCA said they are working hard to keep up with demand after a massive population of unwanted cats in town has left the facility bursting at the seams.


Right now, the society has about 35 cats and 15 kittens and is short of space as well as dry cat and kitten food.


Coun. Ken Cote said the issue he has been hearing the most about has to do with people who own aggressive dogs.


“I've gotten two calls on the subject,” he said.


Mayor Herb Pond said there are communities that have taken steps beyond what the city has done.


“There is a gap around enforcement around dogs that are perceived to be dangerous,” said Pond.


RCMP and bylaw enforcement have done all they can to handle complaints about dogs and Pond said it is now in the city's hands to examine what can be done.


Other provinces and cities have taken action by banning certain breeds of dogs.


In 2005 Ontario became the first province to ban people from acquiring pit bull-type dogs. Kitchener and Winnipeg have also banned specific breeds.


“This is one great big collective ball,” said Pond asking for a report back to council on the range of options that exist for dog and cat control, both feral and domestic.


“We'd like to know where Prince Rupert is on that scale and maybe a recommendation as to if we are comfortable where we are at.”