The town of Riverview is cracking down on people who let their pet cats roam free, after receiving several complaints about cats damaging property, according to animal control officer Pauline Cormier.
“People are upset that they are digging up the garden or stinking up the yard,” Cormier said.
Cormier says she’s had dozens of complaints about nuisance cats since she took over as animal control officer two weeks ago, and she plans to fine people who don’t comply with the town’s animal at large bylaw.
READ MORE: Moncton cat rescue group makes plea for more foster parents
Resident Kim Langille says despite being a cat lover herself, she hates the idea of cats roaming free throughout the town.
“You do not want a cat depositing things around your flowers beds so it’s not attractive having a strange cat roaming around you home,” Langille said.
Cormier says it’s against Riverivew’s bylaws for any pet to roam free. She says the laws have only been loosely enforced until now.
The cat problem has gotten so bad, she says the town is cracking down. She is setting traps to capture roaming pet cats.
“If I trap the cat off-property there is a $50 ‘voluntary’ fine, and also a request to register your animal and along with the registration, because your cat has already been outdoors, there is a request or recommendation for a rabies vaccine,” Cormier said.
The fines are ‘voluntary’ because people have 30 days to pay them, Cormier says. She added that as part of the crack-down approach the town is taking, if the fines aren’t paid, the owners could be taken to court.
Cormier says the cats are likely safer in her cages than they are on the streets. Beside the obvious dangers like being hit by a car or attacked by another animal, she says there are people who will poison pet cats that may be roaming in their neighbourhood that they deem a nuisance.
“I have already found three dead cats and that is not the best part of my job,” Cormier said.
Creative ways to keep cats happy outside
Rather than let her nature loving cats roam free, Langille has come up with a creative way to keep her pets safe while they spend time outside — a cat patio.
“We built a ‘catio’ a kitty cabana, got the kit built it and haven’t looked back,” Langille said.
The large cat kennel sits on the patio at her apartment. In it, the cats can roam freely outside while she abides for the town’s bylaw.
Comments