It’s raining cats and dogs at Carrollton village hall

Thomas Clapper
CCM Reporter
Cats and dogs were the main topics at the Aug. 26 Carrollton Village Council meeting.
Council decided to table a newly amended cat ordinance much to the dismay of residents who attended the meeting and displayed their frustration.
Village Administrator Mark Wells reported he reached out to the Carroll County Health Department and they are not going to adopt the resolution because there is not the sufficient staffing information to enforce the ordinance. Wells spoke to the Carroll County Humane Society who is unable to spay and neuter cats and have them released back due to not having the funding.
Wells received information from Solicitor Clark Battista about an independent woman who spays and neuters, then reintegrates cats back into the society. Wells left a message the morning of the council meeting and is waiting to hear back from this person.
Wells spoke to the individuals who have the cats, and they told him they have three or four cats that were born on the property. The homeowners indicated three stay on or under the porch.
Wells said they expressed worry that if the cats are not fed that they will die.
“This is not true,” said Wells. “The Health Dept. says cats are predators and will look around for more food.”
Wells addressed the residents who attended the meeting, “I understand your problem, I have cats on my porch and I don’t like it either. But that is the information I found out.”
“I heard from some more people regarding cat problems at their locations since this was in the newspaper,” said Councilman Chris Barto. “It is a real problem.”
Councilman Dan Locke thinks it is a family problem and not so much a council problem.
“I think if they are living like this, someone in the family should step up and help solve the problem,” said Locke. “I think it is a family issue and board of health issue, not a council issue.”
“I want to make it clear the village does not have legal authority to go shut somebody’s door and I do not want the implication that the village would condone killing cats, which violates a current ordinance,” added Battista.
“There has to be logical steps taken so we are doing it right,” said Councilman Tom White. “This is why it is being tabled.”
Council voted to table the cat ordinance. Barto was the lone “no” vote.
In another matter regarding village animals, a resident asked about leash laws and said their dog has been attacked three times recently.
She is unable to walk her dog anywhere because it is terrified of other dogs due to post traumatic stress.
Council made it clear there is absolutely a leash law within the village.
“There is a leash law enforceable by police department,” said Wells. “Do not call the dog warden, call the police department.”
Police Chief Tim Timberlake attended the meeting and said if it comes to a situation where the dog will be seized, that is the dog warden’s power, and the police will contact the dog warden. With that being said, police can take action and help with the problem.
Council recommends keeping dogs on a leash or tied up in the village to avoid a litany of potential problems.