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LETTER: Cats at large in Langley cause problems for neighbours

P. Shields says cats need to be licensed, as the ones roaming around are an ongoing nuisance.
2480langleyadvanceLangArt_opinion_letters

Neighbourhood cats cause conundrum

Dear Editor,

It is that time again, when LAPS is looking for dog licence canvassers.

Apparently “licences are the best way to get lost dogs home and part of the revenue collected is retained by LAPS to care for animals in its shelter.” Its shelter includes all animals, dogs, cats, rabbits, etc.

We have a constant problem with cats in our neighborhood.

They are at-large at all times, defecate and urinate on our property, they mate including noise effects at all hours of the night, and we have had two litters born under our backyard deck.

I have had to remove the cats and litters myself as LAPS does not provide this service for cats.

If this was my dog, I would have had complaints and fines. I have inquired as to why cats are not licensed and have been told that it has been brought to council more than once over the years and a bylaw has not been passed.

With the number of roaming neighbourhood cats and feral cats in Langley, I would think hiring one or two employees to have cats licensed would bring in more than their salary financially, with the amount of cat licences that would be purchased.

I refuse to licence my dog and have been told that I will be fined hundreds of dollars until the licence is purchased.

Maybe I should have my neighborhood cats take up a collection for my fines.

P. Shields, Langley