City Official Tells Animal Advocates It's Illegal To Feed Strays
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Animal advocates are upset after they say a city official told them it was illegal to feed strays.
The confrontation with a man who claims to work for the Dallas City Marshal's office happened at an area off Dowdy Ferry Road in a large, undeveloped section of Southeast Dallas land.
The area is a popular dumping ground for unwanted dogs; popular with rescue groups wanting to help survivors.
Marina Tarashevska is one of the groups more vocal members. She's often found day and night feeding and trying to trap unwanted dogs left to fend for themselves.
"I try to do it every day," she said.
When Tarashevska and her friend Leslie arrived at Dowdy Ferry Road and I-45 Wednesday morning they encountered the so-called city official.
He said something so strange they recorded it.
"The marshal officer told us it's illegal to feed stray animals," said Tarashevska.
The unidentified officer cited a city ordinance against feeding stray animals on public property. The problem with that, according to the women is -- there isn't any such law.
"I really think that's ridiculous that he says it's illegal to feed dogs," said Animal Rights Activist Leslie Ysuhuayles.
CBS11 contacted the Dallas City Marshal's office but didn't receive a response.
Various rescue and animal welfare groups told CBS11 they have never heard that feeding stray dogs is illegal.
The man who cited the law would only say it's a city ordinance. The two women were not ticketed or threatened with arrest so they returned to the area Wednesday night undeterred in their mission to save animals.
CBS11 reporter JD Miles looked over the city code and didn't find the ordinance.
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