Pottsville Bans Feeding Stray Animals

Pottsville officials have banned feeding stray animals.

Any Pottsville resident caught feeding stray animals in the city could face up to a $600 fine.

City council members at Monday’s monthly meeting voted unanimously to enact an amended ordinance on animals. Councilmen Mark Atkinson, Bill Messaros, and Andy Wollyung voted to pass the ordinance.

Mayor Dave Clews and Councilwoman Dorothy Botto were absent.

The bill covers all outdoor animals, wildlife, and suspected strays.

The amended ordinance does have some exceptions to the rule.

A person can feed strays if they’re working with a licensed animal rescue, state regulatory commission, or city official, according to the text of the amended ordinance.

Birdhouses are also exempt from the rule.

Atkinson explains that the reason for banning the feeding of strays is because the city has seen a sudden rise in their numbers.

“Since covid, the number of stray animals the city has taken on has gone up exponentially,” he said.

This has put a burden on city officials not normally assigned to animals. And it’s costing Pottsville money.

“We’re looking at building new kennels now because the amount of animals we’re taking on. Not everybody will claim these animals. In order for us to turn them over to shelters, we have to pay for that,” Atkinson says.

He says police officers and Streets Dept. employees have taken it upon themselves to bring food in for stray and unclaimed animals the city has detained.

In addition to feeding strays being banned, it’s also illegal to put out shelters for these animals as people often do for stray cats in the wintertime. The text of the ordinance also states that it’s against the law to interact with these animals.

The updated ordinance dealing with strays reads as follows:

Any persons in the City of Pottsville shall not feed, put out shelter, and/or interact with all outdoor animals, wildlife, suspected strays, etc., unless working with a licensed animal rescue, state regulatory commission, or city official. Exemption for birdhouses in proper repair and using adequate materials for its suspension or foundation.

Ordinance banning the feeding of stray and outdoor animals in Pottsville

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