By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Claflin was once the home of the Wildcats. Now, the city is taking measures to combat a feral, or wild, cat problem. The Claflin City Council, at their July 10 meeting, passed Ordinance 23-0710 which outlines several cat restrictions within city limits.
The ordinance declares feral cats to be a nuisance and a threat to public health. Any person living within city limits and in possession of a cat at least four months of age shall have the cat bear identification, and must purchase an annual license from the city. The ordinance also limits the number of cats a person may have.
"It's limiting the number of cats people can have to five," said City Attorney Bob Suelter, "but if they register more than five before the first of September, they're grandfathered in, those cats."
The ordinance also prohibits cat owners from allowing their pets to run at large. Any feral or vicious cat found running at large may be destroyed when so ordered by the chief of police, or by any police officer in the event of an emergency. Any cat running at large or creating a nuisance may be destroyed by police. The new regulation also prohibits the feeding of feral cats.
Any person violating the ordinance may be convicted of an unclassified misdemeanor and fined not less than $75 but not more than $1,000, be imprisoned not more than 60 days, or both. Shelter or other costs associated with boarding or destroying the animal may also be assessed.
