Pineville City Councilman Terry Pannell brought up what he considers to be a growing problem inside the Pineville city limits — cats.

He reported several people have asked him about the substantial increase in the number of cats in the area.

According to Pannell and several members of the council, at any given time one can drive through Pineville and see 15 to 30 cats in a single yard.

And, this is leading to complaints from residents that cats are destroying their property.

“They are terrible,” stated Pannell.

Pineville Mayor Sherwin Rader stated she also received complaints about the cats.

Rader said representatives from the animal shelter claim there is no county ordinance that governs how to handle stray cats. There is, however, an ordinance that governs what to do with stray dogs.

According to Rader, the animal shelter officials said they can provide cages for people who want to catch the stray cats. Once the cats are captured, then the animal shelter will come and collect them.

“It’s going to take a lot of traps,” said Pannell, responding again about the great number cats.

Pineville City Attorney John Gambrel stated one step that could be taken to solve the problem would be for the council to contact Bell County Attorney Neil Ward and Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock about an ordinance to include cats.

No action was taken during the Pineville council meeting on the issue.