Circleville – The city has been kicking around an ordinance to take care of nuisance wildlife in the city for over a year, it was around this time last year that a Circleville Citizen came to council after a wild raccoon killed her cat in the city, and she complained about cats, raccoons and other vermin that have run rampant in the city.
On Tuesday the Circleville Safety Committee convened to discuss a proposed ordinance aimed at managing nuisance animals within the city limits. The ordinance, as outlined, authorizes the Director of Public Safety to solicit bids and contract with the lowest qualified bidder for the trapping and disposal of nuisance animals, declaring the situation an emergency.
Council members engaged in a thoughtful debate regarding the necessity and specifics of the ordinance. One member raised concerns about potential duplication of existing services, citing current provisions allowing residents to contact district wildlife offices for local trappers. “We already have mechanisms in place to address nuisance wildlife,” Jeff Hallinin said, questioning the need for an additional $10,000 expenditure under the proposed ordinance.
Tom Kilizka echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of fiscal responsibility and avoiding unnecessary spending. “We don’t need to spend more money than we have to,” they asserted, highlighting the effectiveness of current procedures for addressing wildlife issues stemming from improper trash disposal and outdoor pet food.
The discussion broadened to include considerations of how the ordinance might impact various types of nuisance animals, from raccoons to feral cats. While acknowledging the nuisance posed by wildlife, concerns were raised about the humane handling of trapped animals under the proposed ordinance. “Every animal caught under this ordinance would be euthanized,” one member pointed out, urging caution in how the city approaches such measures.
A local business owner specializing in nuisance trapping provided valuable insight, underscoring the legal constraints around handling feral cats. “No legal nuisance trapper in Ohio is allowed to touch a cat,” they clarified, emphasizing the need for a separate ordinance or program to address feral cat populations through methods like trap-neuter-release (TNR).
Residents also voiced their concerns during the meeting, highlighting personal experiences with wildlife encroachment due to neglected and abandoned properties and improper trash disposal. “The city should have a method of controlling this,” one resident stressed, urging action to mitigate growing wildlife issues affecting neighborhoods.
Amidst the discussion, there was consensus on the importance of clarifying and potentially separating the ordinance to differentiate between managing wildlife and addressing feral cat populations. “Let’s move forward with addressing raccoons and other nuisance animals separately,” one member suggested, advocating for a clear, focused approach to each issue.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore grant opportunities for managing feral cat populations and to refine the proposed ordinance to reflect community concerns and legal considerations surrounding wildlife management.
As discussions continue, the Circleville Safety Committee remains dedicated to finding effective, humane solutions to balance public safety with the conservation of local wildlife populations.
