Stray cat ordinance in limbo after community expresses concerns
City residents voiced their opinions about a proposed ordinance banning the intentional feeding of feral felines ahead of a public hearing on the topic. One councilor says it will be tabled.
WHEELING – City councilors are facing the biggest, most controversial test in their short nine months on the job as the community reacts to a potential ban on feeding stray cats in the city.
A proposed amendment to Article 507 of the city’s code would see the intentional feeding of feral cats within city limits banned if adopted. “It shall be unlawful for any person to place any type of food upon any property for the purpose of feeding stray and/or undomesticated felines,” the amendment reads.
Violation of the ordinance would result in a minimum fine of $300 on a first offense, jumping to $500 on a second offense and $1,000 for a third and subsequent offense during a twelve month period.
Councilors heard the first reading of the ordinance in late March.
With a public hearing on the ordinance scheduled for Tuesday, April 1, many in the community took to social media to voice their outrage at the legislation.
In the comment section of a story by The Intelligencer and posted to their Facebook page, a majority of respondents disagreed with the action.
“How about concentrate on getting them fixed and going after owners who don’t,” one commenter wrote. Another wrote that felines keep “vermin” out of the area, adding “I will feed them as long as they’re hungry.”
Webark Estates, a nonprofit animal rescue located in Moundsville, shared a post about the ordinance garnering several hundred reactions, comments and shares. “These homeless cats deserve better than to be starved out of existence,” the group’s post reads. The group encouraged Wheeling residents to attend Tuesday’s meeting.
Councilor Ben Seidler, who represents, and resides on, Wheeling Island has expressed support for the measure. In an email sent to the county health department and reported by The Intelligencer, Seidler said the feeding of feral cats in his neighborhood is a risk to public health due to urine and feces, as well as litter created by styrofoam feeding bowls.
Responding to a constituent’s Facebook post about the ordinance, Seidler said the intent of the legislation was “never to punish anybody for [feeding stray cats] on their own property.”
“I’m trying really hard to make our neighborhoods cleaner and safer and better,” Seidler wrote. “Sorry I got this one wrong out of the gate, but we can work together to figure out the right way.”
In his comment, Seidler announced the council would table the ordinance Tuesday, leaving the measure in limbo for now.
Seidler did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.
Sign-ups for the public hearing on the ordinance closes at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 1. Residents wishing to speak should sign up before that time in person or by emailing the city clerk.