FORT SMITH, Ark. — Several people have aired concerns about an ordinance in Fort Smith that allows the city to fine residents if they are caught feeding or watering stray animals. Now, two people have started a petition to get part of that ordinance repealed.
"A person should not be ticketed for providing care when we do not have programs available to help them," Amber Neal, a local animal advocate, said.
Neal said while the idea behind the ordinance is good, it just doesn't make sense, especially in a city that has an overwhelming stray animal population.
"We need to improve that ordinance to keep that clear in the future, but also to not hinder the community from getting involved, but rather encourage them to get involved with animal welfare efforts, especially when we have such limited resources available," she said.
Mary McKinney with the Artemis Project said the ordinance makes it very difficult for animal lovers to turn a blind eye to strays, especially if the city can't take them in.
"In those situations, it's really inhumane to expect community members to not take care of those animals until they produce an outcome for them," McKinney said.
"Several animals that are in need will not come up to eat or drink water while a person is present," Neal said. "While I understand why this ordinance was enacted originally, I think we have some undesired consequences from that ordinance, and now there is a public fear that people will be ticketed by trying to do the right thing."
McKinney said the petition is more of an awareness issue, hoping it never makes it to a Fort Smith Board of Directors meeting.
"We are really hopeful that the city board tackles this issue on their own," McKinney said. "I know that they have already been in discussion publicly about the way that the ordinance was intended to be enforced, and I know that we have seen multiple board members discuss how they were going to be having this open discussion at a meeting about it. So hopefully they're already in the making of getting this situation fixed."
The whole effort is to fix the stray animal problem, according to Neil.
"Let's find some solutions here, and let's try to make this better for our animals and our community," Neil said.
As of Aug. 25, the petition has more than 700 signatures.
The City of Fort Smith referred 5NEWS to a statement they provided previously:
"The FSPD Animal Services Unit responds to every call it receives from residents. If a resident encounters a stray animal in need of food or water, residents should call Animal Services at 479-709-5000 and they will respond.
In the event that the animal shelter cannot take the stray animal due to capacity limits, the Animal Services Unit will work diligently to ensure the stray animal is cared for. The City of Fort Smith animal ordinances, alongside the spay and neuter voucher program, are designed to help control the stray animal population in our community. We appreciate the care and concern residents have for all animals in Fort Smith."
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