Winnipeg woman fined by city for feeding stray cats; says she was told to let them starve

Friday, January 9, 2015, 11:01 AM - Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place. A Winnipeg woman says she is being fined by the city for feeding stray cats, and was told to let them starve.

According to Global Winnipeg, Carrie Muth -- who has one cat and dog of her own -- says she noticed four stray cats living in her neighbour's dilapidated garage. 

Feeling bad for the homeless felines, she began to put food out for them about twice a week. 

This week animal control officers came to her house and told her she had exceeded the six-pet limit and had to stop feeding the cats.

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Under Winnipeg's Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw, residents are not allowed to have more than six cats or dogs on their property. 

“They’re being a bit of a bully, they ticket you, they fine you but they don’t give you any alternatives other than let them starve to death,” said Darcy Johnston with D’arcy’s ARC, animal rescue shelter. 

Muth plans on fighting the ticket once it arrives in the mail. She says even if the city considers the cats hers, she's still within the limit.

Meanwhile, on January 1, the city implemented a new bylaw which requires all cat owners to license their pet. 

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With files from Global Winnipeg.