LUHSD Superintendent: “We Are Not Killing Cats”

In response to accusations made by animal rights activists, Eric Volta, the Liberty Union High School District Superintendent, explained that the District is doing everything it can to ensure cats are not being killed or entombed on campus.

“We are not purposely trapping cats under buildings,” said Volta. “Our goal in all of this is providing a safe and clean environment. Its counter-intuitive that we would want a dead animal under a building so we are making sure there are cats are not under the building, we are using one-way door.”

According to Social Media postings, animal rights groups are posting the accusations which include this one:

During this weeks school board meeting, activist accused the District of not doing enough to ensure cats were not being trapped.

Volta countered saying that the activists trespass on campus to feed the cats and are causing damage to school property by tearing off ventilation grates.

“The animal groups are trying to sensationalize this thing to draw up support. We had to flea bomb because adults were getting itchy,” explained Volta. “They have offered no solutions other than a TNR program. That may work, but they are not to feed cats on our campus.”

He further explained that one animal rights group is going too far because it wants to walk the campus with staff to discuss placement of feeders. He said that is not going to happen because the District does not want feeders on campus. He highlights that some have resorted to now sneaking onto campus.

“If we could catch them, they would be arrested,” said Volta. “If they are asked to leave and they come back, they would be cited or arrested. These are nice people who are for cats, but they need to stay away from campus. We have asked the police department to tell them to leave campus if they are spotted.”

Volta admits this problem has been going on for a long time at multiple schools. He also said  that in 10 years, they accidentally trapped 1 cat.

Here is an official statement from Superintendent Volta

Our district has never purposefully trapped cats under buildings. In fact to do so only creates more problems for us.  From the beginning we have agreed to use the one-way doors provided. To date we have been given one, one-way door by a local organization. WE have spent thousands of dollars addressing the negative effects of numerous cats living on our campuses. Our foremost priority is to provide a safe and productive learning environment for our students and staff.  Therefore we have asked local members of the community not to come onto our campuses to feed or vandalize the ventilation grates under our classrooms.  In doing so, it is our hope that we will limit the number of ALL animals our campuses from growing.