Duncanville police brief council on feral-cat response; no ordinance changes recommended

Assistant Chief Robert Byrd of the Duncanville Police Department told the City Council that animal-control officers impounded 296 cats in 2025 and that 55 cats were returned to the field under the city’s Trap–Neuter–Release (TNR) program, which began in 2021.

Byrd said the city’s ordinance treats most animals other than cats as “running at large” and that Duncanville coordinates with neighboring cities through the Tri City Animal Shelter. "We do allow other citizens to basically trap cats as long as in a humane fashion," he said, describing a program in which residents can borrow traps and staff will retrieve trapped animals for shelter intake.

Staff told the council they found Duncanville’s rules largely consistent with Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Lancaster and Midlothian and made no recommendation to change the ordinance now. Byrd summarized existing enforcement: impoundment for animals without evidence of vaccination, nuisance animals, and those running at large; microchipping and owner-claim fees are handled through Tri City Animal Shelter.

Council members pressed for more data and public education. Councilmember Gooden said she had received resident calls about cats at large and asked staff to compare Duncanville’s rules with Arlington’s. Councilmember Coontz asked for numbers on complaint frequency; Byrd said staff would provide call-counts and case data. An animal-control officer said the TNR program relies on local caregivers and that education for caretakers (timing feedings, removing food) helps reduce nuisance problems.

The council welcomed the briefing and asked staff to return with comparative research and community outreach plans; no ordinance vote was taken.