Delaware Valley Humane Scoiety Manager Erin Insinga speaks to a full crowd at a Norwich public hearing Tuesday night to discuss a proposed law banning the feeding of stray cats. (Tyler Murphy photo)

NORWICH – When the Norwich City Council withdrew its proposal Tuesday night that sought to fine those feeding stray cats, the crowd at the public hearing erupted in cheers.

City officials had attempted to pass the law to deal with a rampant stray cat population and ticket those feeding it. The proposal made two weeks ago received a lot of public response, hundreds replied via email, Facebook and phone calls.

“It is important to identify how we arrived at tonight's public hearing,” said Norwich Mayor Christine Carnrike. “The proposed ordinance change came about as the result of numerous complaints made to members of this council for an ongoing issue that has been referenced in discussions and meetings going back to the 1990's.”

As the standing room only crowd of more than 60 people waited for last night's hearing to begin it seemed officials had already accepted the public's protest and were prepared to amend the proposal. More than 30 people spoke to the council. Most of them recognized the city's problem but advocated for a better approach. Several of the speakers came as representatives of local animal groups, who were against the proposal.

Chenango SPCA Executive Director Annette Clark said her organization was against the proposal and offered to help. She advise the council adopt programs to “Take away their way to procreate, not their food.”

She said the SPCA had income-based programs that might help the city and encouraged officials to rethink their plans.