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Residents urge tighter enforcement after neighborhood 'cat crisis'
Summary
Two residents told the Village Board that a neighbor's free-roaming cats have become a health and nuisance problem, estimating multiple litters and asking the board to strengthen enforcement of the animal-control ordinance.
President Richard Samples heard two public comments about an ongoing neighborhood cat problem during the Oct. 3 Village Board meeting.
Resident Sarah Reif told the board that one property owner is allowing cats to roam and produce repeated litters, creating a health concern; she estimated “about 9” cats and said Enforcement Officer Cindy Beddingfield had "done all she can" to address the situation. Reif said one cat she trapped and took to animal control was returned to the owner and asked the board to consider amending the ordinance.
Another resident, Dave Kotowski, described dead carcasses and animal feces appearing in yards and said the cats have sprayed his porch furniture. He told the board he sees no effective penalty currently in place for noncompliant owners.
President Samples said he would look into the issue personally. The board did not take formal action at the meeting; Samples and staff will need to determine whether enforcement, an ordinance change or court action (four code-related court cases were noted for Nov. 4) is warranted.
The transcript references the animal-control ordinance but does not provide its title or specific section; any change would require staff research and, if needed, a future agenda item for formal consideration.
