Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — Two state agencies say the University of Idaho failed to seek approval for a program that trapped and euthanized feral cats on campus.
Officials with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game said Monday that they would not have issued authorization to the university, which campus veterinarian Peter Autenried said he received, The Moscow-Pullman Daily News reported (http://bit.ly/2bT2tZY).
Autenried said Wednesday seven feral cats had been trapped and killed at the university since January. He said he received authorization to trap the cats from Fish and Game, in accordance with Moscow city code. UI communications personnel confirmed Autenried's claims to the Daily News on Wednesday.
According to Moscow police department regulations, no one can trap an animal within city limits unless that person is authorized to do so by Idaho Fish and Game or by the City Council or the Chief of Police.
Mark Carson, regional conservation officer for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, said Monday, however, that he does not have the authority to sign off on such an issue, Moscow city officials do.
Moscow Police Chief James Fry said the university did not procure authorization from him, and Mayor Bill Lambert said the authorization did not come from the council.
UI Communications Director Jodi Walker said Monday she could not comment on the issue because her information came from Autenried.
Humane Society of the Palouse official Trina Pickett said her office only found out about the university's problem with feral cats late last week and that they had not been asked to help, as Autenried said.
The program to trap and euthanize feral cats was suspended last week, university officials said.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
