Some upset over stray pick-up (08/29/2008)

REDKEY - Critter Control continues to be on the prowl for stray dogs and cats here, despite criticism Thursday night from cat lovers that the animal control firm appears to be singling out their feline friends.

Several Redkey residents complained to town council members Thursday night that pet cats were being mistaken as strays by the rural Pennville firm contracted for animal control, and also said that the dog problem was not being adequately addressed.

Redkey resident Debbie Funkhouser asked: "Has anyone been chased down the street or on a bike by a cat? They (cats) are not usually malicious on their own," she said,

Funkhouser said that her pet cats had been mistaken for strays, and a Critter Control representative told her to keep them inside or in a contained area. She continued that this was against the nature of cats. "Cats are creatures that naturally roam," Funkhouser said.

Critter Control, owned by Tim Dale, was hired by the council several weeks ago to pick up stray dogs and feral cats at a cost of $50 a week.

Identifying which cats were feral (wild) and which were pets has become a dilemma.

"What's happened is there are so many stray cats in town - you can't tell the stray cats from the pets," Councilwoman Terry Taylor said.

Adding to the confusion, councilman Charles Noble said, "People have tags on their dogs, but not cats."

Redkey Clerk-Treasurer Sandy Kirby said this morning that Redkey's animal control ordinance prohibits dogs and cats from being allowed to run loose.

Town council president Doug Stanley then mentioned that he had a problem with the "small print" in the town's contract with Critter Control. He said one part of the contract refers to picking up feral cats only, but then it says that tame cats will be held for their owners. "How do they determine which are which?" Stanley said.

The council president added that he wanted to personally contact Critter Control and try to straighten this matter out.

"I had a lady call earlier tonight who was wondering if her cat had been picked up," Stanley said, adding "I wish a Critter Control representative was here tonight."

Stanley added that when this project was started he didn't remember so many complaints about cats, with stray dogs being the main concern. However Redkey Marshal Donnie James said the police department had received numerous complaints about cats, primarily relating to them using flower beds for litter boxes and crawling on roofs and scaring older persons. Also he reported that there were reports of stray cats carrying diseases.

Councilwoman Dottie Quakenbush said, "The town has been overrun with stray dogs and cats."

When the contract was approved, the Critter Control representatives "told me they were not out to get anyone's pet," Taylor said.

However, Christine White, a resident of Oak Street, quickly countered that she originally had 14 cats but now seven of them were missing.

On the verge of tears, she told council members that she was afraid some of them might have been euthanatized by Critter Control.

She continued that her cats caught mice and rats, and consequently were appreciated by her neighbors as well as herself.

In other business at Thursday night's meeting, Redkey council members:

•Agreed by a 3-2 vote to purchase a 2009 Chevrolet Impala police car from American Chevrolet of Muncie which submitted the only quote. Cost of the car, including a special police equipment, package will be $22,573, councilman Phil Philebaum said.

The new car will replace a Dodge Intrepid which is several years old and needs numerous repairs, Philebaum said. He added that American Chevrolet was not interested in the Intrepid as a trade-in, and consequently the town would try to sell it.

Councilman Charles Noble criticized the police department for not taking better care of the Intrepid. Marshal Donnie James responded by criticizing what he described as Noble's negative attitude toward anything to do with the police department.

Noble and Quakenbush voted against purchasing the new car, as opposed to trying to repair the old one. Voting in favor of purchasing the 2009 car were Philebaum, Taylor and Stanley.

•Agreed with a recommendation by Barnum-Brown Insurance Agency, Dunkirk, to switch health insurance for town employees from Anthem to American Community, saving money and adding enhanced vision coverage. Overall savings in the annual premium will be about $3,000, Kirby said.

•Heard James say that the police department was going to try to start a new program recognizing residents who were keeping their property looking nice. One house a month will be honored and presented with a sign reading: "The Redkey Police Department would like to thank you for making Redkey a better community," James said.

•Heard a report from Fire Chief Randy Young and park board member Terri Heston that volunteers were being sought to help with a planned move of playground equipment from the Redkey School grounds to Morgan Park on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 13. Jay School Corporation has offered to donate the equipment to the Redkey Park Board if local residents will move it, Heston said. She said that to volunteer or for more information persons may contact her or Young.

•Set an initial hearing on the town's 2009 budget for 6 p.m. Sept. 11 in Redkey Town Hall, 20 S. Ash St., and a budget adoption hearing for 6 p.m. on Sept. 25 in town hall.[[In-content Ad]]