Cat feeders will not be able to feed feral cats in certain areas on public or private property without the written consent from property owners, following approval Monday night of an ordinance by Bellaire City Council.
Council directed staff to work on an ordinance in early October that would prohibit cat feeders from leaving food on public and private property after several residents came before council, seeking its help about a colony of feral cats.
Council approved the ordinance 5-to-2, following a failed amendment to table the ordinance for six months. Council members Andrew Friedberg and Mandy Nathan voted against the ordinance.
The ordinance prohibits the feeding of cats on public property, including city easements or public right-of-ways.
Feeding or leaving food on private property is also prohibited without written consent of the property owner.
To view the ordinance, click here.
Several Spruce Street residents and property owners came before council and said people come every night to feed the cats, leaving several plates of food for the property owners to clean up.
Margo Costello, president of Riverway Business Services at 5213 Spruce, told council that her flower beds have turned into a litter box.
Costello, who is in favor of the ordinance, said one of the problems is that the feral cats reproduce on the property. She provided pictures of kittens to council last night, showing that kittens are still being born on the property.
Sue Strickland, of The Children’s Gallery at 5204 Spruce, told council during a Sept. 20 meeting that she has to clean feces out of the backyard every day before the children can go out and play.
Numerous cat feeders have come to meetings, asking council to look into a trap, neuter and release program (TNR).
D’Lane Viator, a Houston resident and one of the cat feeders, said she has trapped about 100 cats and fixes them before releasing them back into the colony. Viator said the only way to control the problem is with TNR. She asked council for more time so she can continue to decrease the cat colony.
Thirteen people addressed the feral cat issue during last night’s meeting with 11 people against the ordinance. Mayor Cindy Siegel read 10 written comments that were all against the cat ordinance.
Council received a petition from more than 56 Bellaire residents who were in favor of the ordinance.
“The people associated with this problem want some sort of relief,” Councilmember James Avioli, Sr. said.
Council members have also received hundreds of e-mails from cat feeders and cat supporters, urging council not to vote in favor of the ordinance.
“These e-mails have been ridiculous,” Nathan said. “I wanted to strangle some of you through this process.”
Siegel told Viator that she brought this issue on herself. When Viator tried to respond, Siegel told her that she did not have the floor.
Nathan asked Viator during a previous meeting if she could just stop feeding at the Spruce Street location and she said “no.”
Nathan said it was a shame that the cat feeders and the property owners couldn’t work together to resolve this issue at the beginning.
Cat feeders who are caught leaving food on public or private property could receive up to a $500 fine per occurrence, Councilmember Corbett Parker said.
Tee says
Very saddened to hear this news. Only 56 Bellaire residents were for the ban, but hundreds were against and yet the elected officials of the City of Bellaire voted for the ban, thereby voting against what their constituents wanted. Who are these 56 people and what power do they hold over the elected city officials ?????
I will no longer be spending my money in the City of Bellaire. Any business in Bellaire, TX address is on my ban list. I will be asking others to join me in this ban.
not im my backyard says
For those against this ordinance, why don’t you just post your address and we will all come to your house and leave plates of tuna in your front so every stray in the neighborhood can come and make a mess in your hard. If this was a pack of dogs, no one would be outraged at this ordinance. These cats have taken over and then need to be euthanized.
Tee says
@ not in my backyard: I leave food out for the feral cats in my yard, and I do provide them with shelter when weather dictates. Man has domesticated these animals, they are dependant on us, and society has a reposnsibility to care for all God’s creatures. These cats are the victims of a self-centered and abusive society. Since Bellaire passed this inexcusable law, I have joined the boycotting of Bellaire. In one’s day time, several $1,000’s that would have been spent at Bellaire businesses has been redirected to businesses in other area cities/towns. Imagine the affect this will have on the city and businesses such as Riverway Business Services. City officials did not do their homework on this issue, rather they allowed a handul of residents to tell them what to do. What has happened to our society to allow a few uncaring individuals to enact a law that dictates the starving of animals. Your comment the cats have taken over is an exaggeration. Research the facts. What have you done about the people who dumped these cats? These cats were more than likely dumped/abandoned by Bellaire residents. They do not stray far from the homes they used to have. Abadoning an animal violates the Texas Penal Code - Section 42.09. - Cruelty To Animals:
(2) fails unreasonably to provide necessary food,
care, or shelter for an animal in the person’s custody;
(3) abandons unreasonably an animal in the person’s
custody;
(c) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Abandon” includes abandoning an animal in the
person’s custody without making reasonable arrangements for
assumption of custody by another person.
(3) “Cruel manner” includes a manner that causes or
permits unjustified or unwarranted pain or suffering.
(4) “Custody” includes responsibility for the health,
safety, and welfare of an animal subject to the person’s care and
control, regardless of ownership of the animal.
(5) “Necessary food, care, or shelter” includes food,
care, or shelter provided to the extent required to maintain the
animal in a state of good health.
Of special note is (4) - “Custody” includes responsibility for the health,
safety, and welfare of an animal subject to the person’s care and
control, REGARDLESS OF OWNERSHIP OF THE ANIMAL.
If this was a pack of dogs, many would also be working to save their lives. A life is a life, regardless of the shape of it’s body.
ResponsibleAnimalLover says
While the proponents of techniques to capture, neuter, vaccinate and release feral cats are commendable in some ways, the release of these animals continues the uncontrollable spread of cat waste. It is questionable whether many of those who feed feral cats are motivated by love of animals or simply loneliness and the absence of any thing constructive to occupy their time. The experience of other communities with feeding bans is not totally applicable to a small community that can more effectively enforce the ban. Having lived in large, mid-sized and small communities, we have never experienced anything as offensive as the large number of feral cats that have infested our yard and neighborhood in the past and continue to do so in nearby neighorhoods. Feral cats that are captured and treated should be placed for adoption (the SPCA charges for each animal) or, sadly, euthanized. The most effective way to end the abusive practices of people that promote feeding and abuse of feral cats is simply to impose significant fines.
I happen to know that Councilman Corbett Parker, attended a Halloween party this year, dressed as a feral cat. This is demonstrates his attitude of mockery and lack of genuine concern, and brings in to question his proffessionalism .
Fred and Margo Costello started this entire debacle by initially harassing the cat feeders, then ultimately taking the issue to the city. Their business is Riverway Personnel at 5213 Spruce Street. I hope anyone aware of this situation, and cares about animals, does NO business with them .
Tee says
Thanks to In The Know and The Root - very informative and valuable information. My boycott of Bellaire and Riverway Personnel is in full swing. With email, Facebook, Twitter, etc., takes just a few minutes each day to get others to join the boycott. This will not save the suffering cats and kittens from horrible deaths, but hitting the pocketbook of those behind this evil law has some satisfaction.
Also, in Tee’s post, Abadoning an animal violates the Texas Penal Code – Section 42.09. – Cruelty To Animals: .. .
Looks like Bellaire’s ordinance is in direct opposition to State Law.
Who is willing to take this to the courts ?
robert riquelmy says
One can only wish that Robbie Tolan had so many gallant defenders.
no cat feces says
I’m with responsible pet owner and not in my backyard. The cat feeders are just hoarders period. They are usually lonely post menopausal women and the men that love them. They specialize in martyrdom and hand wringing but what they are really accomplishing is putting people who live with these feral colonies in second class citizen status. Second to cats. Bravo Bellaire for voting against colonies and their hoarders.
University of Nebraska Reports Shows Bellaire Wasn’t Progressive Enough in Thinking…Should Have Put Euthanasia Program Together!
http://elkhorn.unl.edu/epublic/live/ec1781/build/ec1781.pdf
“study found that neutering or spaying is ineffective at eliminating feral cat colonies”
PS - Crazy cat ladies that are non-residents boycotting Bellaire is laughable.