Pittsburgh, animal league reach pact on dealing with strays

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The city and the Animal Rescue League have reached agreement on a three-year, $1.14 million contract on the rounding up and handling of stray cats and dogs, ending a two-month standoff.

The league had withdrawn from negotiations to renew a 30-year contract with the city after the two could not agree on a price for handling strays and the euthanization of sick animals.

On Thursday, the league’s 13-member board approved a deal that requires the city to pay $182 per animal, up from $38 for cats and $48 for dogs paid to the league under the old contract, league officials said.