Fighting feces, Stow cracks down on feeding feral animals

A new ordinance passed by Stow City Council at its Sept. 8 meeting bans residents from feeding wild and feral animals.

But last-minute changes to the ban mean feeding ducks and birds in public places is still allowed.

The ordinance had been under discussion by city council members for nearly three years following complaints from residents about large numbers of feral cats being fed by one household. As a result, the cats caused a “nuisance” to neighbors through excessive amounts of defecation on their property.

“The city had contacted a resident several times after a neighbor had complained to police,” Stow Law Director Jaime Syx said. “This ordinance would help in taking enforcement to stop wild animals urinating and defecating on a neighbor’s property who are not feeding them.”

Council members originally proposed legislation that would have banned feeding dogs, cats, deer, geese, raccoons and fowl as well as any other wildlife except in designated public areas, if the feeding led to property damage or caused a nuisance.

But after input from residents, the list was cut back to cover just dogs, cats, raccoons, skunks and other wild animals.

The ordinance was steered to completion by Council Member Cyle Feldman, who took on the task after it had been first proposed under the previous council.

“We had received some complaints from residents, as some people had been excessively feeding stray cats,” he said. “To me it was a health and safety issue, as we are a city of 34,707 people. We are not rural. We are a city with neighborhoods and where people live next door to each other.”

Early versions of the proposed ordinance met with concerns from some residents that it could stop them from caring for a stray in their yard. And beekeepers noted it could prevent their hobby inside the city limits altogether.

“When we first started to develop some legislation, there was a lot revolving around bees and different things that people feel pretty compelled about or emotionally connected to,” Feldman said. “It was a very long process and I appreciate the city council being patient, from trying to do something that would work to help residents but yet keep some of the things that other residents do with feeding and taking care of farm-type stock.

“The problem was our zoning code really focused on dogs. I understand where our residents are coming from but wanted to make sure we were safe. I think we have accomplished that with the ordinance.”

Speaking during the meeting, Council Member Brian Lowdermilk said: “The defecation part of this is a real issue, but that is caused by people feeding the animals. Take away the feeding and drawing in the animals, it will eliminate the defecation. This is addressing the most egregious problem. If we get rid of the food, the animals will go elsewhere.

“I have struggled with this in trying to show we are not doing something crazy. It gives our law department the ability to perhaps nip something in the bud and stop it before we have a person in court because it has got so bad. Putting 25 pounds of food out every day for cats you do not own and do not care for other than feeding is a problem. The neighbor could not use their own property and could not walk on their driveway. Now we can address this before it ends up in court.”

Council Member Jeremy McIntire said: “I know there are humane people out here who feed stray cats and they do it because they are good people and do not want the cat to starve or die, and they get upset if the animal does not come around.”

Any Stow resident who breaches the ordinance could face a minor misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $150.