Decision about 29 cats to be made soon

Expected next week

MOSES LAKE - By the end of next week, Moses Lake man Brian Healy will know if he can keep all 29 of his cats.

Moses Lake City Attorney Jim Whitaker said the hearing examiner has 10 days to make the decision beginning yesterday. The timeline began once Whitaker and Healy's attorney Larry Tracy sent in some final paperwork.

The process began when Moses Lake code enforcement issued a notice to Healy in November ordering him to comply with a city ordinance limiting the number of pets per household to three. Code enforcement responded to the South Jefferson Avenue home following a complaint from a neighbor.

In December, Healy asked the council to allow him to keep all 29 cats.

He said he should be considered because all the cats are spayed, neutered and have current shots. Healy said the animals are always kept indoors and he has never received a complaint.

He said he came into possession of the animals after many showed up at his door in extreme weather conditions and after adopting some from neighbors.

Healy said several of the animals are in need of regular medical care and he does not want to adopt them out to irresponsible pet owners.

He said if he is not allowed to keep the animals, he and his wife have considered having the extra animals euthanized.

At the December meeting, council approved allowing Healy an additional 30 days to begin finding homes for 26 of the 29 cats.

After the extended deadline passed in mid-January, city personnel contacted Healy to check on his progress. Upon contact, staff were told to speak with his legal council.

The hearing examiner will decide if Healy is in violation of the ordinance next week.