Cats becoming a concern in Carseland

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

 

The Hamlet of Carseland has seen a growing number of domestic and feral cats roaming around the area and has become a concern to much residence in the area.
The issue has been brought up to Wheatland County Council to possibly implement a cat bylaw.
“It was a request from councilor VanderVelde, and in Carseland there were a few complaints he received about cats running at large,” said Alan Parkin, Wheatland County’s Chief Administrative Officer. “Our staff did a bit of a review, and we’re not recommending to put in a cat bylaw because of a number of things, but we certainly do have the capabilities of taking nuisance cats to the SPCA and they can adopt them out to a home where they can be taken well care of in Calgary.
“Unfortunately, animals go astray and the next thing you know you got a nuisance on your hands and maybe a safety concern.”
The county does not regulate cats owned within the bylaw guidelines; there has only been a bylaw set for dogs.
“Currently, we don’t have a cat bylaw in Wheatland County, we can only assist property owners in capturing the animals and getting them to the SPCA,” said Parkin.
The Wheatland County’s Level 2 Peace Offices are the only ones who have the authority to enforce animal bylaws.
If a cat bylaw were to be put into motion, the peace officers would require possibly a .5 position increase to their department.