Earlier this month, residents of the 500 block of Washington Street attended a Tamaqua Borough Council meeting to ask for help with a feral cat problem at two unoccupied properties in the block.

At this past Tuesday’s meeting, several residents from the 200 block of Washington Street also came to council with an animal complaint.

According to the neighbors, a house on that block is filled with dozens upon dozens of cages, totes and terrariums filled with snakes. There are also several cats in the house, which isn’t actually occupied, to the best of their knowledge. Instead, the owner of the property lives close by and “visits” at odd hours.

Recently, the area became infested with fleas, which seem to be coming from the snake house. A fan in the attic window, drawing air out, seems to be dispersing the insects to the outdoors. The infestation became so bad, one of the neighbors called in an exterminating company.

“But what good is it for me to pay to have my place exterminated, when the fleas are actually coming from somewhere else?” Jeff Knadler asked council.

Tamaqua Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt told council the exterminating company actually contacted the borough about the fleas. Due to that letter, code enforcement officials will be able to take immediate action.

There are six houses in the row of connected homes.

In addition to the flea problem, the neighbors wanted to know if there were any borough laws limiting the number of pets a person can have in their home.

Council President Dave Mace said the borough has a few rules about cats and dogs, but nothing to limit the number. He also said the borough follows state law when it comes to “exotic animals,” which are prohibited.

That would include venomous snakes, but not constrictors. Code enforcement will have to gain access to the property to determine the type of snakes inside, as well as the condition of the animals.

Borough officials will contact the Tamaqua Area Animal Rescue group for help if it’s determined the animals aren’t being cared for properly.