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Resident complains to Richland council about roaming cats; council seeks follow‑up from animal control authority
Summary
A Richland resident described a six‑month neighborhood nuisance from a neighbor’s seven roaming cats; councilmembers urged code enforcement action and scheduled staff follow‑up after the deputy city manager agreed to attend a regional animal control authority meeting Feb. 12.
A Richland resident told the City Council on Feb. 3 that seven cats kept by a neighbor have been roaming the neighborhood for six months, leaving feces on walkways and creating an ongoing nuisance.
"They just let him run around, and I need help," Miguel Barrios said, giving his address and asking the council for assistance after he said police and animal control had been unable to resolve the problem.
Council members reacted with concern. Council member Witten urged code enforcement to act on the specific nuisance complaint and supported broader follow‑up; Council member Meyer suggested the city may need stronger legislative tools if existing authorities cannot resolve repeated neighborhood overpopulation cases.
Council member Jones separately criticized Tri City Animal Services’ performance and said he would pursue further discussion and possibly a workshop to address the regional shelter's service level. City Manager Amundson said Deputy City Manager Shissel will attend a regional animal control authority meeting on Feb. 12 and the city will provide a report of that meeting and any improvement steps identified.
The council did not take immediate enforcement action at the Feb. 3 meeting; it requested staff follow up with code enforcement and report on the outcome of the Feb. 12 regional meeting.
