A closer look at Mt. Pleasant’s proposed ‘vermin ordinance’

MT. PLEASANT - Last week, the Mt. Pleasant City Council held the second reading of an ordinance that, if passed, would prohibit the feeding of stray animals. Let’s take a deeper dive into its wording, intent, and fees.

Those found leaving out food will be given three warnings rather than being fined straight away. By this measure, the law is not meant as a cudgel, but as a method of persuasion. Only repeat offenders would face fines. The amount of said fine is not yet known, but Police Chief Lyle Murray previously suggested $50.

After initial backlash, Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Lyle Murray wished to emphasize that this ordinance not only applies to feral cats, but to wild animals as well. Cat food or scraps attracts possums, skunks and raccoons, animals seen as vermin. All, with the exception of possums, are a vector for rabies.

The following statement was issued by Chief Murray on Friday, Jan. 16.

“Feeding outdoor cats is already not permitted under our current ordinances,” said Murray. “'Owner' is defined as: (1) Any person, partnership, or corporation owning, keeping, harboring, in control of, or in possession of one (1) or more animals. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for three (3) consecutive days or more. And once someone has been established as an owner, they are then allowing their cat to violate section '4-4 Dogs and cats at large.'”

The ordinance reads:

“No person shall intentionally feed, place, or distribute food or edible materials outdoors for consumption by animals within the city limits. For the purposes of this section, "outdoor feeding" includes the placement of food, scraps, or any other edible materials intended for consumption by animals on any privately owned outdoor area, including yards, sidewalks, porches, patios, and vacant lots. This prohibition also applies to all parks, and other public property.”

Any food left on an enclosed animal run is allowed. Also allowed is the letting out of food while an animal is outside and secured to a lead, so long as the food is brought in when the animal has finished eating.

Furthermore, feeders for squirrels and birds are allowed, so long as they are kept in sanitary conditions. Bird feeders are expected to be suspended above the ground.

Per city code, a cat is allowed outside, provided it is not “at large”. Per section 4.4, Article C, “Cats shall be deemed at large if they do not have the necessary identification tags, or if they are on private property not owned by the owner of the animal without permission of the person owning such property or the person in charge thereof. The TNR program provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to permit cats to be at large.”

On Facebook, many residents of Mt. Pleasant called for more effort to be put into TNR - trap, neuter and release- programs. The City does possess a TNR initiative, run by All God’s Creatures, a local animal shelter. At an Ordinance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 20, the City Council and Chief Murray alike affirmed their support for the program.

Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com