City leaders eye feeding ban

Law aimed at ‘nuisance animals’ would also limit permitted feeding

Mentor-on-the-Lake is the latest local community to consider addressing the feeding of feral cats — along with a bunch of other animals.

On the May 23 City Council agenda is an ordinance that would regulate the feeding of nuisance animals, define exceptions, and require secure outdoor storage of refuse and waste.

The proposed law would prohibit “purposely placing edible items in a manner or position where such edible item shall be accessible to attract common pigeons, crows, blackbirds; other large, flocking, wild nongame birds; nuisance animals, including but not limited to feral cats, stray cats and dogs, squirrels, raccoons, groundhogs and deer; wild animals; domestic pets; abandoned animals; feral cat colonies or vermin.

This section wouldn’t apply to animals owned by or in the “continued possession of” a resident. Other exceptions are: • The feeding of squirrels or

This section wouldn’t apply to animals owned by or in the “continued possession of” a resident.

small birds — excluding pigeons — from a commercial stationary squirrel or bird feeder or container for food. Stationary feeders or containers must be at least 5 feet from the boundary line of any adjacent property owner. The feeding of squirrels or small birds must occur in the rear yard of the home.

• Any qualified caregiver sponsored by and under the supervision of an animal welfare organization registered with the city to promote a Trap-Neuter-Return program in which feral or stray cats are trapped, sterilized, vaccinated against rabies, ear-tipped and returned to the qualified caregiver. Any feeding and/or housing that is provided by a qualified caregiver must occur in the rear yard of the home.

• Licensed trappers or permitted hunters actively baiting nuisance health risk animals in order to lawfully trap or harvest such animals. The ordinance also speaks to outdoor storage: “Any and all refuse or waste kept outdoors shall be stored in such a manner as to render the same inaccessible to any and all animals, birds, domestic pets and vermin.”

Below are some definitions included in the ordinance:

• “Abandoned animal” is a “domesticated cat that an owner has forsaken entirely or neglected or refused to provide care and support.”

• “Animal welfare organization” means any charitable corporation whose purpose includes promotion of animal welfare and that has been granted 501c3 nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service, and which has registered with the city to operate within its boundaries.

• A “qualified caregiver” is any person who takes responsibility for the care and management of a city-registered stray feral cat colony.

• “Registration” means annual completion of a form provided by the city that documents the 501c3 status of an animal welfare organization that identifies the officers with their contact information, and that specifies the elements of its TNR program and how the program will be conducted within city boundaries.

Violators would be guilty of a minor misdemeanor for a first offense, a fourth-degree misdemeanor for the second offense and a thirddegree misdemeanor for a third or subsequent offense. A separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.

The measure was drafted by Councilman Jim Lunder, Ordinance Committee chairman, after reviewing the Mentor and Willowick laws, and hearing from members of area Community Cats groups and Lake County General Health District.

He began researching the issue following a complaint from a resident whose neighbor had a colony of at least 20 cats.

“These cats were using his yard to do their business for years and he was not getting help from anyone,” Lunder said. “This prompted us to look into ordinances of other cities.”

Community Cats representatives talked to the resident caring for the animals and advised that cat shelters in front of the home be moved to the rear, as well as the feeding dishes.

Mayor David Eva said he likes the idea of registering the cat colonies and making the city aware of them.

“These (animal welfare) organizations do provide a welcomed service to the community,” Eva said. “They work hard to limit the population size.”

Council meets at 7 p.m. at city hall, 5860 Andrews Road.