Verdun residents clean up alleyway after animals reported poisoned in borough

In response to recent reports of animals being poisoned in Verdun, a group of citizens have decided to try and help create change.

“I really want to see a cleaner Verdun,” said resident Erica Feininger. “I feel that we have such a lovely borough and yet when I went through the alleyways, which have so much character here in Montreal, I feel like the alleyways in Verdun are too dirty.”

And so she decided to organize a citizen’s brigade to clean them up.

They decided to begin with the alley that runs between 3rd and 4th Avenue, and Wellington and Verdun streets.

“We had a cat poisoner in the spring that had left cans here in this particular alleyway,” said Feininger. “So when I wanted to clean up the alleyways, I thought this is the perfect one to begin with.”

Back in April, Global News reported that tins of cat food, laced with a rat poison-like substance, were allegedly found in the borough.

READ MORE: Poisoned cat food in Verdun sparks investigation by Montreal SPCA, Animex

The SPCA and animal ambulance service Animex, put up posters to make residents aware.

But just last week, the issue came up again.

Marie-Helene Julien told Global News her 10-month-old cat died after being poisoned in the borough.

City officials say people may be leaving the poison in an attempt to control the feral cat population in Verdun.

READ MORE: Animals reported poisoned in Montreal borough of Verdun in past ten days

But borough councillor, Sterling Downey, says the borough has programs in place to control the stray cat population in a humane way.

“When you start trapping and taking into your own hands, and start killing and poisoning animals — it’s unacceptable,” he said.

So, in addition to weeding out dangerous items — residents raked, swept and cut shrubs along the alley.

Councillors and even Verdun’s mayor, Jean-François Parenteau, showed up to support the effort.

“I think what’s most important to me, honestly, more than the cleanliness, is the sense of community,” said Verdun resident Mia Ostrofsky. It’s initiatives like these that mobilize the community — when we all become responsible for our environment.”