From: Lauren Mulleady <lauren.mulleady@gmail.

com>
Date: Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 4:19 PM
To: "Stewart, Nicole" <Nicole.Stewart@raleighnc.gov>, "Melton, Jonathan"
<Jonathan.Melton@raleighnc.gov>, "BuKin, Patrick" <Patrick.BuKin@raleighnc.gov>, "Cox,
David" <David.Cox@raleighnc.gov>, "Branch, Corey" <Corey.Branch@raleighnc.gov>, "Forte,
Stormie" <Stormie.Forte@raleighnc.gov>, "Knight, David" <David.Knight@raleighnc.gov>
Subject: Animal Ban Ordinance MeeTng

Dear Mayor Baldwin,

My name is Lauren Mulleady. I am one of the Animal Control Officers employed by the City of Raleigh. I
listened in on the city council meeTng on August 17th at 1pm. I wanted to address you about my
concerns. I, myself, am an exoTc animal owner, exoTc animal rehabilitator, licensed wildlife rehabilitator,
and much more in the animal field, specifically the wildlife and exoTc area of work and hobby.

Listening in during the meeTng, you made it known that you have a feral cat that you feed and consider
a family member. In the city of Raleigh we do not allow TNR (not sure why it was included in the
proposed ordinance) and we Tcket individuals who perform TNR or feed feral cats in the city of Raleigh.
That is an example and act of ownership. Those acts represent ownership of the animal and if the person
feeding, considered the owner, does not have proof of a current rabies vaccinaTon for that animal, and
that animal is leaving their property, they are Tcketed for not having proof of a current rabies vaccinaTon
and for that animal running at large.

Feral domesTc cats spread disease to wildlife, have an absolutely devastaTng impact on our wildlife
populaTon numbers, spread zoonoTc disease to humans, and we have many cat bites a year that we
handle from feral cats. As I am sure you know, cat bites can cause absolute havoc on the human body.
They pose a public health risk and do much more damage than just this. They also cause property
damage that is reported to us several Tmes a year. They pose and already inflict more damage than any
of the exoTc animal owner's pets combined in Raleigh.

It is extremely upse`ng to hear you say that it is "taking it too far" to not allow feeding of feral cats, and
that your feral cat is "part of the family", while the exact potenTal ordinance being discussed, is what will
require owners such as myself to rid of their very own animals, animals that WE consider our beloved
family members. My animals that will be considered "dangerous" under this potenTal ban, are also part
of my family. I keep and maintain my animal's meTculously for their well being and in cauTon of this
exact situaTon happening.

I agree there should be a registry, I agree the animals considered "dangerous" should have regulaTons.
It takes a special person to adequately represent how these animals should be owned. But if you put
regulaTons and requirements in place, I guarantee you, the owners like me will jump through any hoop
to keep our beloved family members. I moved to Raleigh because I could dive into the world I love and
improve it for the beder, both in and outside of my job. If you place regulaTons and registry, whatever
you feel fit, animal control then has the opportunity to enforce unlawful keeping and support the proper
keeping of these animals, which in turn saves many animal lives in many different aspects, to which I
would be happy to elaborate.

DomesTc animals will conTnue to outnumber what are being considered dangerous animals. Any
regulaTons put in place instead of a ban, I believe our department would be more than capable of
handling and enforcing. If you place a ban, that would be a much more extensive duty to carry out than
regulaTons passed. Removing, housing, and charging many people, both "good" and "bad" keepers, and
many animal lives/well being being put at stake. I want to ask that a ban is not passed based on both my
posiTon as an animal control officer, and professional keeper outside of work.

DomesTc animals, even day to day on the job, present a significantly higher risk to the public and I do
personally feel that these efforts towards "dangerous animals" should be geared towards intensifying
the laws already in place for domesTc animal owners. ComparaTvely, dogs and cats are the "dangerous"
ones and inflict far more danger on the community and will conTnue to do so. Another topic I would be
happy to discuss further.

Another large concern is the way the secTons and definiTons are worded as well as the animals listed
the way they are. However, I understand that it is sTll being revised. I DO believe that NC wildlife laws,
already staTng that naTve wildlife animals are prohibited (raccoons, opossums, squirrels, foxes, etc.) and
the migratory bird treaty act (prohibiTng ownership of these kinds of birds) being wriden in the
ordinance would benefit both sides in this topic, and would help to prevent unwanted situaTons.

Thank you for your Tme, I truly hope even ground can be met for the sake of the responsible owners and
the lives of their animals.