Feud escalates over cats in Pasco

WESLEY CHAPEL - A quirk in the Pasco County zoning code and the animal control ordinances may mean there is little the county can do to resolve a long-running neighborhood feud over cats.

A house in Wesley Chapel has become home to dozens of cats that one neighbor says are not hers, but another neighbor wants removed.

This appears to be a situation where one neighbor has the best intentions while another neighbor has a legitimate complaint.

It all revolves around cats that have descended on one house. The problem is, because Pasco County has no licensing requirement, animal services is unable to do much when some one denies ownership of the cats.

Code compliance is in a similar bind because it has no way to control wild cats.

There were at least 15 cats outside Barbara Montgomery's house in Wesley Chapel Tuesday.

She admits she feeds many of the cats.

"I can't see them starving out here you know," Montgomery said.

Her compassion for cats has irritated her neighbor John Cummings.

"There are feces, urine, fleas they attract germs and possible health problems," Cummings said.

The feud between Montgomery and Cummings may be difficult for Pasco County to resolve.

Montgomery says none of the cats outside her home belong to her. As a result, Denise Hilton, director of Pasco Animal Services, says there is little her department can do other than offer traps designed for feral cats.

"The only things I trap are possums and raccoons. My cats are smart enough not to go into a trap," she said.

Montgomery says she does own nine cats, all of which are kept inside. The Pasco County zoning code allows residents to have up to nine animals. That leaves Cummings irritated.

"She gets down near that number and within six months we're back to 20, we're back to 30 cats then they're on my roof and under my house, all the problem starts again," Cummings said.

"I don't know what the answer is, I need help," Montgomery said.

Cummings responded, saying "I'm just trying to get something done. I'm at my wit's end."

Animal Services says it will send an officer to evaluate the situation.