Mineral Wells council narrows animal-feeding ban to city property, allows private feeders

The Mineral Wells City Council voted Oct. 1 to amend Chapter 18 of the city code to prohibit feeding animals on city-owned property, including public parks and vacant lots, citing public-safety concerns. An unnamed councilmember proposing the change said it was a short amendment meant to protect children and park users from encounters with feral animals.

Councilmembers asked whether the change would affect private parking lots and whether existing definitions in the animal ordinance — including feral cats, domestic and nondomestic wildlife — already addressed the problem. Speaker 4 noted concerns that residents feed deer and suggested carving out an exception for feeders on private property.

On a motion by Speaker 7, seconded by Speaker 5, the council amended the ordinance to allow feeders "used for the sole purpose of feeding wildlife within the boundaries of a person's owned or occupied property," while keeping nuisance enforcement available where feed scatters to neighbors’ property or animals congregate. The motion carried 5-0.

Council members said enforcement would rely on existing nuisance and animal-shelter procedures when conduct on private property created a public nuisance. No changes to criminal trespass or criminal mischief processes were adopted; staff indicated nuisance calls could be routed through the animal shelter and law enforcement as appropriate.

The council did not set an effective date in the meeting discussion; staff said the amended language would be prepared and finalized for execution following the meeting.