DUBOIS – As the mid-Winter warm streak causes some of the snow to melt complaints are rising about the stray cat problem in the City of DuBois.
The perennial problem of the stray cats saw some talk of a new ordinance and contacting the City’s wildlife pest control contractor, and reminders of why both options aren’t perfect.
W.C. Scott, DuBois’ wildlife/pest control contractor, has been reluctant to deal with cats, according to council. The main reason given is not knowing what to do with said cats. He has no way of knowing if the apparent stray he caught is a stray or some kid’s beloved cat that got loose. One option is disposal. The other option would be to hand the cats over to the humane societies, but those get full at times.
DuBois City Council has looked at the ordinances for other cities and have an ordinance that already covers pet cats and dogs. When it comes to stray cats, council was at a loss to think of an ordinance that would work.
“I have been talking about an ordinance and the cats don’t read. It’s the people,” said council member Diane Bernardo.
“What do you want us to do?” asked Mayor John “Herm” Suplizio after a citizen in the audience complained about his neighbor’s cats.
Council indicated that the problem began with the people who let their pets loose. The problem is maintained by those who provide easy food for the strays through feeding the cats, leaving garbage outside or free standing bird baths that provide water for the strays.
Police Chief Steve Davis stated that DuBois’ police picked up around 30 dogs last month. However, the police don’t deal with cats. The explanation being it is easier to coax a dog into the back of a police car than cat.
“Garbage . . . if you are going to be put your garbage out try to get it in the a garbage bin,” said Suplizio.
The bin would ideally keep animals from getting into the garbage looking for food.
“Pet food and garbage are great for rats,” said Redevelopment Authority Director Lance Marshall.
When a member of the council asked if there were reports of a rat problem in DuBois, nobody seemed to know of such a problem and it was joked that perhaps the stray cats were the reason why.
