Fines for feral cats
Published on October 2nd, 2002
STONEHAM, MA - Two articles on the October Town Warrant are designed to address the growing population of annoying domesticated animals, and those not-so domesticated in Stoneham neighborhoods.
Article 18 will impose a penalty for the owners of consistently barking dogs that annoy their neighbors.
The present by-law does not specify penalties for dog owners when their dog becomes a consistent nuisance. If a resident has a problem with an annoying dog in their neighborhood, they would have to solicit the Board of Selectmen for a hearing on the matter, after the police and/or Animal Control Officer has talked to the dog's owner. However if the article passes, owners will be given a warning for the first offense within a twenty-four month period, followed by a $25 fine for the second offense and a $50 fine for the third offense in the same time period.
Animal Control Officer Kenneth Stache said this is a good proposal because either himself or the police department can now levy fines for the disruptive canine’s in Stoneham. ‘“This inserts penalties into the current law and gives us more authority in controlling this issue,” said Stache.
Another article, number 17, would help control the ever growing wild cat population. This article clearly states its intent that, “no person within the Town of Stoneham shall intentionally feed a wild animal.” The penalties for violating this by-law are the same for Article 18 that addresses the consistent barking dog issue.
Animal Control Officer, Kenneth Stache believes this is a good idea for both the residents and the cats themselves. “Right now I have to leave these cats on the street,” said Stache who said that the health benefits alone are worth passing this measure. The proposed by-law is not supposed to be a leash-law for cats, moreover it is to control some of the larger populations of feral cats that are annoying to the neighborhood.
Stache has seen sporadic wild cat population throughout the town with many complaints coming from Franklin Street residents. The Hillside Avenue area is the home of the largest population of feral cats and the problems they inherently bring with them. They may be disease infested, flea ridden or just a nuisance to the neighborhood. These feral cats are usually described as aggressive animals. Stache has heard of as many as 20 to 30 wild cats in the Hillside Avenue area and is eager to capture those cats that are homeless.
“This will help the welfare of the community and the cats as well,” said Stache. “This is the avenue we have to take to control the growing population of wild cats.”
Residents need not worry if their cat is picked up inadvertently by the Animal Control Officer if the by-law passes. Unless the cat is extremely ill they will hold the cat ten days before its fate is decided by euthanasia or adoption.
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