Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 21, 2007 Click image for larger view Sara Russell holds her cat Shiloh by a sign posted in her yard on South Ivy Street in Medford. The sign warns that a neighbor is trapping cats that come into his yard and taking them to the county shelter. (Mail Tribune / Jim Craven) CAT FIGHT Medford neighbors complain about man trapping cats that leave excrement in his yard By Meg Landers Mail Tribune Residents in a southwest Medford neighborhood are digging in their claws over a neighbor who is trapping their pet cats and taking them to the animal shelter, where the owners must pay to get them back. But according to local law enforcement and shelter officials, the law is on the trapper's side. Daphne Wallis went to Jackson County Animal Care and Control Tuesday to plop down $53 to reclaim her cat, Singer. "I don't see how it can be legal to trap these pets that are known pets," said Wallis. "They're neutered cats." The neighbors have circulated fliers and posted signs to alert the 900 block of South Ivy Street that a resident, Ronald Register, is baiting and trapping cats. Advertisement Register said he first set a live trap several weeks ago because he got fed up after three consecutive days of tracking feline excrement into his house from his yard. "There's just animal stuff all over," he said. "Most people, I don't think they realize what their cats do." Sara Russell said she feared the worst when her black cat was missing for eight days. "It's never been missing before," she said. Then she learned from neighbors that Register was trapping cats. She went to the shelter and learned a black cat had been brought in more than a week before. It was deemed to be aggressive and not adoptable and was euthanized after several days. Though shelter staff say inconsistent dates make it unlikely the cat was Russell's, she's convinced it was. Shelter technician Donna Patnesky said as long as the cats are on the man's property and he's bringing them to a recognized shelter, he's within the law. She said he's brought in fewer than 10 cats in recent weeks. "People who are trapping are really doing a service to the community, getting strays off the street," she said. Patnesky questions some people's animal care skills. "If your cat's missing 11 days, what kind of a cat owner are you?" she said. "This is a problem all over the place," said Patnesky. "If your cat's missing, please come looking for it right away, don't wait a week." To retrieve a cat, an owner must pay $5 bail and $8 for each night the animal was in the shelter. Patnesky said the shelter encourages people to put collars and phone numbers on their cats or implant chips, which the shelter checks for when an animal is brought in. And if cat owners learn their pet is digging up a neighbor's garden, they can offer to buy cat repellent. And there are other solutions. "It's a very easy problem to fix," she said. "Keep your cat in the house. People have the right to not have animals in their yards." Register said he's ceased the trapping after hearing from upset neighbors. "It just wasn't a good decision," he said. "It isn't anything personal, they're all taking it personal." He said he will try repellents, though one he tried in the past was ineffective. Medford Deputy Police Chief Tim George said the police have no evidence of Register breaking the law in trapping the cats. "You certainly can trap, as long as you're not causing harm to the animal," he said. "If you're missing your cat you need to check at the animal shelter." George said an officer will be assigned to help resolve the dispute after the department received three complaints, one from Register, on Feb. 17-18 about the situation. "Neighbors need to get along," he said. "Such disputes are not uncommon, but it is certainly uncommon to have three calls in one weekend." Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help