Feral cat controversy continues in Fort Oglethorpe

FORT OGLETHORPE, Georgia(WDEF) – There’s a new twist to the ongoing saga between Fort Oglethorpe city officials and people who are feeding feral cats.

After an animal advocate agreed to no longer feed the cats in the city park, he began feeding them on private property.

Wally Barnes got written permission to feed the cats outside 2-A Body shop and says he had an understanding with employees at a local Hardee’s where he was allowed to feed the cats near the dumpsters.

He told News 12 that city code enforcement officers are now scaring the businesses by saying the cats may be diseased.

“They say there’s rabid cats here. They start the rumors themselves. People hear the rumor, then they use the site back from the people who heard the stuff they started as their evidence,” Barned said.

The Hardee’s manager and the Body Shop owner both told News 12  they were approached by code enforcement about animals being fed on their property. The body shop owner told News 12 he only wants to do what’s right by all the parties involved.

“I’m willing to work with both parties as long as they want to catch, neuter and stop the population. As long as it’s the best for both parties,” said 2-A Body shop Owner Tommy Lewis.

Code enforcement officer Bill Willett told News 12 they were merely warning the businesses about what could happen if feeding those cats leads to someone being bitten or attacked.

“If they permit a large quantity of food being left out, and there is an animal or cat that shows up and bite someone or cause some type of problem or danger, that liability will fall on the business owners and not the city,” Willette said.

Park Place restaurant is another location where city officials told News 12 where Barnes was feeding feral cats.

According to restaurant employees, there was initially no problem with Barnes feeding the cats even though he never got permission to do so on their property. But employees also told News 12 it became a problem when the cats using the outside walkway as a bathroom.  The owner has now banned Barnes from feeding animals on his property.

City officials told News 12 they don’t understand why Barnes won’t simply feed the cats on his property.