Fix it or wreck it, owner of cat-ridden house told

The owner of a Corner Brook house that was overrun with cats has been given a month to either renovate it or lose it.

Corner Brook's city council voted Monday night in favour of a motion that gives the owner of the McWhirter's Lane house 30 days to improve the house, or see it torn down.

More than 200 cats were found to be living at the house this spring. Most were removed, and some of them later had to be put down.

A nearby shed was torn down after the cats were removed, and in August the house was damaged by fire.

"In all likelihood the property may have to be demolished, but that assessment will have to be made by the property owner, not necessarily by us," said Paul Barbable, Corner Brook's director of community services.

"So that's why the order was issued .... to demolish or renovate."

The homeowner can appeal the decision.

He has not responded to CBC requests for an interview.