The Bradford City Board of Health will consider an appeal at a
hearing beginning at 6 p.m. today in the case of Bradford residents
cited for caring for feral cats.

Ron and Cathy Langella and Siglinde Vanderhorst were all cited
for causing public nuisances for caring for the animals on their
properties. All have appealed the citations.

Three hours are allotted for the appeals hearing, which is to be
held in city council chambers.

Meanwhile, a debate over the proper way to handle the city’s
problem with feral felines has attracted attention from the
southern part of the state.

Pittsburgh resident Dr. Anthony Barton has again written to City
Council urging a humane resolution to the city’s problem. The
letter was dated Nov. 9 and addressed to Councilmember Tom Riel and
distributed to all council members, Riel indicated on Sunday.

In the letter, Barton wrote that, after speaking to Riel, he had
contacted Homeless Cat Management Team of Pittsburgh to consult
with them about Bradford’s problem.

The Team came up with a five-point plan based on an agreement
that all of council would not want “to have the cats killed,
removed or neglected. Further, you also have to decide to punish
only those responsible for the cat abandonment problem, not the
caretakers or the cats.”

Barton recommended the following: “Cat and other domestic animal
abandonment must first be addressed; In some manner, find out who
the caretakers are, who is feeding what, when and where; Contact
local veterinarians and negotiate with them to do spaying and
neutering on a large scale at a reduced cost; Officials and
caretakers need to become educated in Trap/Neuter/Return methods;
and Adequate housing and feeding by the caretakers should be
continued and their actions should be supported and defended by the
city.”

He goes on to explain each point individually.

“Through newspapers and other public pronouncements it must be
made known that animal abandonment, specifically cat abandonment,
has become a problem and that it will not be tolerated,” Barton
wrote. “In addition, signs should be put up in areas where cats are
being dropped off by owners.”

The signs should indicate the illegal nature of abandonment and
warn that the area is under surveillance.

“This needs to be enforced,” Barton wrote, “animal shelters are
for placement of cats, not public spaces.”

Barton also explained that finding out who the caretakers are
and how many animals they are caring for will give a realistic
estimate of the scope of the problem. After that, a program with
local vets for spaying and neutering animals at a reduced rate can
be looked at for funding either with governmental funds or with
some special fundraising effort, Barton suggested.

Information about the Trap/Neuter/Return method is available
from the Homeless Cat Management Team or from Alley Cat Allies,
both of which are available on the Internet.

And the last point Barton made – that the city should support
those who care for these animals – he defends by citing the
“cruelty to animals” section of Pennsylvania law regarding
abandonment or depriving animals of food, drink, shelter or
veterinary care.

Barton ends the letter by saying he appreciates the complexity
of the issue, as consideration for humans counts as well. However,
a humane solution to the cat problem is “well worth doing and can
improve the spirit and welfare of Bradford,” he said.