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West Linn council reviews draft ordinance to address neighborhood nuisance from feeding wild animals
Summary
Council and police staff reviewed a draft amendment to West Linn Municipal Code Chapter 5 to address intentional feeding of wildlife after resident complaints about feral cats attracting skunks and rats; the council agreed to send the draft to the city attorney for legal review and asked staff to refine enforcement language.
At a work session Oct. 7 the West Linn City Council and police staff discussed a proposed amendment to Municipal Code Chapter 5 aimed at addressing intentional feeding of wild animals after neighbors reported increasing nuisance conditions.
Chief Mahuna told the council staff developed a draft ordinance after residents described a neighbor intentionally feeding feral cats, which staff said has attracted skunks and rats and created a public‑nuisance problem. The police presentation noted staff reviewed similar codes from other Oregon cities and that legal review of the current draft is underway.
Council members and staff discussed enforcement challenges. Chief Mahuna and staff emphasized the ordinance would be complaint‑driven and that officers cannot enter private yards without consent. He said evidence would generally be gathered from public vantage points and that, if a citation were issued, the complaining neighbor or an officer might need to testify in court. "We could issue a citation based upon the complaint, and everyone would have to come to court and present their case in front of Judge Bernstein," staff said.
Councilors raised a question about whether to explicitly list squirrels in the definition of "wild animals" (one councilor noted squirrels are rodents but said naming them could avoid confusion); staff said the code can be adjusted to include particular species if the council wishes.
Resident Jennifer Whittington, who said she lives in West Linn, told the council the problem had persisted for years and that it has made her concerned about selling her home. "It just continues to be a problem," Whittington said, adding she appreciated the council—s attention and the quick response from staff.
The council expressed general support for pursuing the ordinance and agreed there was sufficient cause to send the draft to the city attorney's office for legal review and comment. Chief Mahuna confirmed staff will continue refining the language and enforcement approach for return to council following legal review.
No formal ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the action recorded was a referral to the city attorney for review and further staff work on enforcement wording.
