Feeding ban meant to discourage coyotes riles Wheaton cat-lovers

Wheaton officials approved a ban on feeding wild animals only to receive some unexpected criticism from a local group that helps feral cats.

In response to concerns about coyotes, city council members on Monday approved an amendment to an existing local law prohibiting the feeding of feral cats and dogs. The revision extends the feeding ban to include raccoons, skunks, opossums and coyotes.

The change comes after Wheaton hired a professional trapper because of reports of aggressive coyote behavior and fears some of the animals were sick.

After five coyotes were captured and killed in March, officials said three of the animals had "cooked vegetables, dog food, cat food or bread in their digestive systems." Officials said they don't believe the coyotes got that food by rummaging through trash.

"There was an indication that people are feeding coyotes," Councilman Phil Suess said. "It's kind of unfortunate. You would have thought that we were beyond that. But the reality is people have been feeding them, and it isn't because they (coyotes) have been eating out of Dumpsters."

What Suess and other council members didn't anticipate is that Monday's vote would prompt one group to urge Wheaton to drop its long-standing ban on feeding feral cats.

Members of the Lombard-based Feral Fixers said feeding bans don't make feral cats go away and fail to stop residents from leaving food out.

"There are ferals in Wheaton, and it is doubtful that even a high penalty will keep people from caring for ferals," said Tammy McAuley, president of the group dedicated to practicing and promoting the trap-neuter-return method of dealing with feral cats.

In fact, McAuley warned Wheaton's ban might prompt feral cat feeding to happen "under cover and in secret," which only increases the likelihood food will be left out when wild animals are around.

"Our concern is that having to hide the fact that they are feeding ferals will actually increase the feeding of wildlife inadvertently because of having to do so under the cover of darkness," she said.

Still, several city council members said after Monday's meeting that they aren't keen on the idea of dropping the feeding ban for feral cats.

Councilman Tom Mouhelis said he fears feeding any small animals, including feral cats, will only attract more coyotes to a neighborhood because coyotes hunt those animals.

"We're very cognizant of the plight of animals like (feral cats)," Mouhelis said. "We're not heartless. We're just trying to preserve the city."

Any Wheaton residents convicted of violating the town's feeding law could be fined $100 to $950 per occurrence, officials said.