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Council lays over amendment to leash law so trap‑neuter‑return groups can assist with feral cats
Summary
Councilors agreed to postpone action on an amendment to the animals code that would remove a reference to cats on a leash, after residents and animal‑welfare volunteers said striking that sentence would let outside TNR (trap‑neuter‑return) groups operate in the city and reduce feral‑cat populations.
Councilors postponed action on an animal‑control code change after extended public comment from residents and volunteers who asked the city to remove a leash‑law sentence that prevents outside trap‑neuter‑return (TNR) groups from operating in town. The proposed ordinance would amend Chapter 10, Article 2 (dogs and cats) to remove cats from the leash requirement. Supporters said removing the leash wording would permit organizations such as Cares for Pets and Rockford‑area TNR groups to trap, sterilize and return feral cats without the legal restriction that currently prevents them from doing so. Multiple residents and volunteers, including the founder of a local TNR group, explained on July 7 that county animal‑control capacity has been limited and that local volunteers currently shelter and process animals they trap. One volunteer described holding a nursing mother cat and kittens for several days until they could be sterilized and returned. Supporters argued TNR lowers reproduction and is a humane alternative to euthanasia for feral cats. Several council members said they did not fully understand why the leash wording prevented the TNR groups from operating and asked for more information from the volunteer organizations, county animal control and city staff. After discussion a motion to lay the item over passed; council members asked staff to obtain clearer information about how outside groups would operate under a revised code and whether county services could be engaged. Ending: The council laid the ordinance over so staff can gather more detail from county animal control and TNR groups about operational steps and potential contracts; no code change was adopted at this meeting.
