The starvation death of a pet cat in an abandoned house in Tarrant has animal welfare advocates and some city officials calling for a clear policy and a ‘common-sense’ approach when it comes to entering private property to save animals in distress.

The incident that occurred in February has reawakened a debate among city leaders, the police department and animal rights advocates.

A pet cat became trapped inside an abandoned house. Unable to retrieve the cat, its owners called the police who refused to enter the building. The animal then died after several days.

“The manner in which this cat suffered is hard to comprehend, and the pet’s death was preventable,” Allison Black Cornelius, chief executive officer of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, wrote to Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton this week.

“Adding insult to injury over several days, the owners of the cat could see their pet next door to their own home, in the window of a vacant house, trying to get out and loudly crying for help.”

Cornelius said the pet owners were forced to watch as their cat suffered and died because police would not help.

While the incident occurred in last month, Cornelius said she recently learned of the details and contacted Tarrant leaders seeking reform.

“In this case you could look in the window and see that this cat is clearly deteriorating,” Cornelius told AL.com. “It’s a plain view issue. You’re not removing furniture. It’s a cat that has been identified by neighbors as their cat.”

The issue was a dominant discussion point during the city council meeting Monday where Mayor Newton read Cornelius’ letter seeking an independent investigation into what happened and why the cat was left to die.

Newton and Cornelius say that there is already a good-faith provision in the state law that allows people to enter private property in emergency situations.

On the other hand, Police Chief Wendell Major doubts that police could extend their authority when it comes to encroaching on private property.

“Are we going to expect police officers to assess the health condition of an animal, because we’re asking them to do what veterinarians do,” he said. “If the Legislature comes up with some standards, I’d be happy to follow them. We’re trying to accomplish a goal without recognizing its potential abuses.”

Both Newton and Major are lawyers, but each has a different interpretation of what is and what is not allowed by law. Newton calls the issue a simple one that is already covered by existing law.

“There doesn’t need to be a policy. They just need to follow the law,” Newton said. “This happens in every other jurisdiction. The chief has to realize that this is something he needs to do.”

Newton said it is up to the council to mandate a change in Major’s procedures. The council has long supported the police chief over the mayor’s numerous attempts to remove him over various disputes.

“The council is going to have to see to it that he follows the law and that he works with our partners as it pertains to helping animals that are in distress,” Newton said.

Major said an easy solution is already available. He said another incident involving distressed animals occurred Tuesday where dogs were inside a home and were believed to be in danger.

In that case, Major said private individuals went inside the home as police stood by. That procedure removed liability from police or accusations of illegal search and seizure, Major said.

The issue of abandoned animals in houses and whether police can or will enter the premises is not new in Tarrant. An emaciated dog clung to life in a Tarrant basement in 2023 during a debate between the police, the mayor and animal welfare workers.

A Humane Society worker finally intervened and entered the building and rescued the dog. The dog was later adopted.

Some critics of Newton dismissed Cornelius’ letter as a political stunt in the bitterly divided city. One resident Monday evening even accused Newton of writing the letter himself.

Still, at least one council member broke from politics and agreed a policy change is needed.

“Put yourself in the pet owner’s shoes and have some empathy,” councilwoman and mayor pro-tem Tracie Threadford told AL.com. “There is no need to blame the police, but I also think the police should use some common sense.”

Threadford agreed that conversation is needed to gain a clear understanding of what police can and cannot do. Regardless, she called it unacceptable for officials to allow a distressed animal to die if reasonable efforts could be made to save it.

“It’s a living, breathing organism. We need to be cognizant of that,” Threadford said. “We don’t want to see any living, breathing pet die just because of what you perceive to be a policy and what you perceive to be law. Rescue these pets.”

Cornelius, who grew up in Tarrant, stressed that she was not part of any political alliance at city hall.

“It’s about saying we need to figure this out and we need to find a solution,” she said. “Because this isn’t the Tarrant I know.”

Cornelius said she would come before the council to make her case for a third-party examination of the city’s policy. And she’s not afraid to come before a potentially hostile audience.

“It won’t be the first time,” she quipped. “I’ve been eaten alive in Tarrant before. I’m just a little older now.”