WARREN — Legislation that would limit the number of cats people can have was removed from Warren City Council’s agenda on Wednesday so it can be further reviewed.

Councilwoman Honeya Price, D-6th Ward, said she requested the draft legislation be removed so officials can have more time to review similar ordinances in other communities such as Youngstown and Cleveland and get input from animal humane organizations. She said it will likely return to the agenda in September. Council is on summer recess in August.

Being proposed was to limit the number of cats to four in order to help lessen the city’s stray cat population. Price said she has received comments both for and against limiting the number of cats a person can have.

“I have received calls and comments from residents about this and want to make sure it is done correctly,” Price said.

She said she is concerned with all the stray cats she and other officials have seen wandering neighborhoods and there is concern for health issues. Officials said one resident in the city had nearly 100 cats that were rescued by humane agents.

Warren has legislation in place that limits the number of dogs someone can have in the city.

Jason Cooke, executive director of the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project, said he would be against legislation that limits the number of cats a person can have. He said responsible pet owners who take care of their cats and dogs should not be penalized because of the few who do not.

Cooke said the problem is not cats that are inside someone’s house, but the strays running loose in the community that need to be caught for spaying and neutering.

“These cats need to be addressed. Council needs to go a different route with this. I and many other people are responsible pet owners. We take care of our pets. I am not in favor of legislation that limits the number of animals. Someone should be able to have six cats as long as they take care of them,” he said.

Cooke said he does agree there are irresponsible pet owners who have caused problems. Price said she would welcome input from Cooke and others as they review the ordinance. Councilwoman Helen Rucker, D-at Large, said more discussion needs to take place.

She said parts of the city have many stray cats with some having health issues.

Trumbull Humane Officer Fabian Pike said he has been called to situations where there can be 60 or more cats in one location. He said while many are spayed and neutered, others are too sick and must be euthanized.

Councilman Michael O’Brien, D-at Large, said he has heard from former city council clerk Barbara Busko, who was with the Animal Welfare League for many years, wanting to be part of future discussions on the cat legislation.

“We want to reach out to the community for input,” Price said.

Law Director Enzo Cantalamessa said residents do not want to see cats wandering and leaving droppings on their properties. He said officials will review cat legislation from other jurisdictions on how they deal with the problem of too many cats.

“We are at a crossroads of how to get this crafted. There needs to be dialogue and further discussion,” Cantalemessa said.

He said he wants the legislation being approved to be effective since it will not have been tested yet.