Residents and SPCA clash over large North Peak cat colony; town promises mediation

Residents at a Highlands public meeting urged town and shelter staff to address a large colony they say is spilling onto private property and causing nuisance problems, and the Mammoth County SPCA and town staff said they will pursue mediation and better coordination.

"There's somewhere between 20 and 25 cats back there," said Michelle Dagles, a Highlands resident, who told the council the den behind her property has led to spraying on porch furniture, cats in sheds and concerns about vultures. Dagles asked whether signs and private‑property boundaries limit the town’s response.

The SPCA and town staff responded that they are aware of the North Peak Avenue situation and remain reluctant to perform mass removal; staff said the approach will be to work with caretakers and property owners to develop a mediation plan that respects ordinance requirements. A staff member said enforcement will focus on ensuring written permission for trapping when caretakers are operating off their own property and on enforcing designated feeding times.

Several residents recounted emotional and contentious episodes during recent recovery efforts. Jen Hansen, who described herself as a long‑time caregiver, recounted coordinating with police, SPCA staff and public works to retrieve a cat from a storm drain and said she felt the recovery was stalled after a confrontation on site. "I pulled over and I hear him screaming...the police officers were there...we used my trap...I will come back on an hourly basis to make sure he was going to be okay," Hansen said, describing the rescue effort and frustration about paused actions.

Jennifer Mi, a resident who said two of five cats she brought in later died under anesthesia, asked whether she could continue trapping. Staff offered a separate follow‑up conference call with the mayor, shelter staff and program leads to determine whether she may resume trapping, contingent on written property permission and case review.

Tensions about program discipline surfaced when Fred Banks, a resident, said he had been ejected from the program and disputed staff claims that he had carried a 25‑pound bag of cat food through town. "I've never walked down the street with a 25 lb bag," Banks said; staff suggested a one‑on‑one meeting to resolve the allegation.

The meeting produced no formal enforcement action; staff encouraged residents and caretakers to exchange contact information and said they would pursue a mediated plan and continue to coordinate with the Mammoth County SPCA and DPW.