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Residents press South Bloomfield officials to address feral cats and yard maintenance on Lee Road
Summary
Residents raised persistent feral-cat and property-maintenance complaints on Lee Road; Mayor Aaron Thomas said the village will coordinate with Columbus Pet Rescue on trapping/neutering and explore a sanitary maintenance code, but legal limits mean the county prosecutor advised the resident cannot be charged because the cats are feral and not owned.
Residents at the July 15 Village of South Bloomfield council meeting urged officials to address a growing feral-cat problem and yard waste on Lee Road, saying the issue is affecting neighbors’ health and mailbox access. Mayor Aaron Thomas read a prepared statement describing the village’s planned steps and said he will work with the resident and Columbus Pet Rescue to facilitate trapping and neutering.
During public comment Tappy Comfort asked why the village has no ordinance to prevent similar situations in the future and whether the resident could be charged with animal neglect. Mayor Thomas said the county prosecutor advised that because the animals are feral and not owned by the resident, criminal charges for ownership-based neglect are not applicable. "Because they are feral cats and she is not their owner, the county prosecutor states that she can't be charged," the mayor said.
Council members and guests discussed practical responses. Cory Esson asked whether feral cats can be trapped and relocated; Council member Ken Everts responded that relocation requires the permission of the property owner where animals would be released. Tom Ramsay said the council can pursue a sanitary maintenance code to address yard waste and nuisances but described the process as lengthy: drafting, solicitor review, then three council readings and a 15-day posting—an approximate six-month timeline.
Village Administrator Joe Allen said he is awaiting attorney guidance on what legal remedies are available and will assemble volunteers to clean the yard if allowed. Multiple residents reported that county health and humane-society offices had not intervened to their satisfaction; Tom Ramsay suggested residents contact County Commissioners if they believe those agencies are unresponsive.
No formal enforcement action or ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the council’s next steps are attorney review and possible code drafting for future council consideration.
