On Thu, 7 Sep 1995, Jon Anderson wrote:(Some deleted)
>
> At the risk of starting another "Dreaded Cat Thread", I was wondering
> what has transpired regarding the licensing of cats in the county? Are
> free-roaming cats now in violation of the law while stalking the
> defenseless dickey-bird?
>
Due to multiple citizen complaints, mostly on behaviors such as garden and
property damage, as well as wildlife effects and disease
transmission(cats are a necessary vector for toxoplasmosis, a protozoan
parasite that can cause birth defects in humans; cats are also rare
vectors for bubonic plague in the US southwest), a
proposed change in animal control regulations is being considered in
Thurston
County. In addition to requiring cats to be licensed and under physical
control of owners, it would also attempt to strengthen "pooper scooper"
laws on dogs and more clearly define rules for keeping "hazardous
wildlife",
such as poisonous snakes. This proposal is in the public comment stage.
Last night's hearing had about 60 people show up, largely in favor-at
least based on this morning's Olympian article.
*Written comment will also be accepted*. Then it's up to the county
commissoners and local city councils.
I have a phone number to call for copies of the draft ordinance, but not
on me now. I will post it later or people interested can email me. Eric
Larson from Fish and Wildlfe has compiled a large amount of evidence on
cat effects on wildlife and was scheduled to testify. I have submitted
written comment on the disease transmission danger, as well as wildlife
and garden damage.
Jim Neitzel
The Evergreen State College
neitzelj at elwha.evergreen.edu