Essa decides against cat bylaw
by Richard Blanchard

Essa council has decided not to proceed with a bylaw to control the municipalities' wayward cats.

Council decided earlier this year to look at a bylaw which would have restricted the number of cats at a residence and place other restrictions on the felines.

The issue was raised when a township resident was found with almost 60 cats living in their house.

But both council and staff said Wednesday night that the township did not have the resources to adequately enforce such a bylaw.

"Such bylaws are almost impossible to enforce," said township clerk Carole Trainor.

Mayor Dave Guergis added that trying to catch stray cats was a daunting task. "It's pretty difficult to catch them," he said.

Councillors said that they had a few calls about problems with stray cats but they had not increased in volume over the past couple of years.

Council did not make any decision about offering township residents live traps to catch stray cats. It as an option raised during previous discussions about the stray cat issue.