In Cumberland Co, PA, a toddler was reportedly attacked by a rabid feral cat. The local ABC affiliate reports the kid “is expected to be fine”. In response, the South Newton Township contracted a company called The CritterGetter to trap and kill cats within the township on September 7 and 8, 2013.
South Newton Township is advising all residents to keep their pets indoors during the two trapping days.
No kidding. But if your beloved pet does get out and end up in a trap? Sucks being you I guess. Sucks even more being your cat since he’ll be killed by some method not stated in the news piece.
In addition to the inevitability of killing owned pets during the planned two day kill-fest, feral cats have a right to live and should not be killed in a misguided response to an unfortunate and very rare incident. If the township is going to the trouble of trapping them, why not vaccinate the cats for rabies, neuter them and return them in order to make a meaningful contribution toward protecting public health and reducing the cats’ numbers over time?
After public outcry, The CritterGetter has backed out of the job. And pressure is mounting for local community leaders to cancel the killings and come up with an alternative plan.
Alley Cat Allies, claiming to be the nation’s largest advocacy group for cats, has offered a free rabies vaccination clinic for all animals in the township if supervisors rescind their order to catch and kill feral cats.
Volunteers are also trying to put together a TNR program in the township.
If anyone sees an update on this story, please share.
(Thank you Arlene for the link.)