By BOB SHRALUKA
A meeting which began with anger and accusations and a man storming out of the building turned into a congenial discussion between an animal rights group and Decatur officials Tuesday night.
The civil discussion lasting 40-45 minutes in City Hall led to what seemed to be a greater understanding of each other’s thoughts and feelings.
A recent incident which exploded on social media – a city resident was allegedly seen shooting then incinerating a cat – brought a group of 10 or so admitted animal lovers to city council’s biweekly meeting.
It began with 16th St. resident Shawn Braun tossing out several accusations and untruths, stirring angry responses from Mayor Dan Rickord and Police Chief Kevin Gerber.
After 20 or minutes of the back and forth, Braun stormed out of the meeting, throwing down his papers as he exited council chambers.
Civility then took over, with a couple of PAWS of Adams County representatives and three other local residents stepping to the microphone.
Before they got started, councilman Scott Murray reminded the group that some of them were in a similar contingent that had raised concerns with council in a meeting in February of 2023.
An animal control ordinance brought to council with some changes was put on hold until the animal rights folks and city officials could get together and agree on what both sides would like to see in the ordinance.
Unfortunately, Murray and Rickord said, only one meeting was held. “Then we never heard from anyone again,” the mayor added.
“We all agreed at that time not to fight on social media,” Murray noted.
When the discussion wrapped up, it was agreed that this time a meeting (or meetings) to work things out would be held.
PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) President Miranda Mertz offered her apologies “for anything said on social media,” with Councilman Matt Dyer adding that it was not her fault.
“You don’t need to apologize for those (social media) people,” the mayor told her.
PAWS board member Cathy Hedrick remarked that she “is so stressed out about this issue.”
To which Rickord said, “I know you care about this. We want to work with you.”
Hedrick, pointing out that PAWS is a no-kill group, said at one point: “We’re trying. You don’t know what we do every day. We do this all by donation.
“We don”t kill; we try to rehabilitate.”
The discussion touched upon several points:
* PAWS has purchased land but doesn’t have the funds to put up a building.
* City Attorney Anne Razo suggested having PAWS look into the possibility of a Community Foundation grant.
* Feral cats should not be fed and allowed to run loose; they should be captured and neutered.
* The cost of neutering a cat.
* The mayor said he gets “way more calls” on cats than dogs.
* Dyer said he would support an ordinance putting a limit on the number of “domesticated animals” allowed in each home.
Also speaking were:
Troy Kressley, who lives in Stratton Place and talked out the awful cat urine smell around his home and people allowing their dogs to leave droppings in his yard. He said he lives near a home which has three cats but at one time may have had up to 20.
Janelle Young of Decatur said the problems talked about “start with the owners. These are your pets, take care of them.” She also questioned why there is a “leash law” for dogs, but not cats. “I would like to see some sort of leash law (for cats),” she said.
Carolyn Sprunger, a Jefferson St. resident, said she had been married to the late Hap Sprunger, the county’s longtime animal control officer. “The solution has to be with the people; they are responsible. These are God’s creations,” she exclaimed.
Sprunger said she feeds cats in her neighborhood. Asked by Dyer if they are feral cats and if she should be feeding them” without neutering, she replied: “Well, you can’t let them starve.”