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Cat curfew dropped in Nillumbik

Article from: Herald Sun
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Kelly Ryan

July 17, 2008 12:00am

A MELBOURNE council has abandoned controversial plans to introduce a 24-hour cat curfew.

Fur flew and the claws were out when Nillumbik residents learned they would have to curtail their cats to their own properties around the clock.

Almost 800 cat owners protested against the proposal, arguing the cost of cat enclosures in their own back yards, the logistics and even cruelty issues relating to confinement would make the curfew impossible to put into practice or police.

Nillumbik, covering Eltham and Hurstbridge and with large native animal populations, already enforces a dusk-to-dawn cat curfew.

But the council considered extending the ban to restricting felines to within their own fences day and night.

Animal lover Jane Easton was aghast that her cat Sprocket could be forced indoors for good.

"Oh, he'd be terribly miffed if he could see our border collie pups Zuki and Barney playing outside and he couldn't join them," Ms Easton said.

While she supports the council's overnight cat curfew, "animals should be allowed to be animals and I don't believe they be locked up day in and day out".

Nillumbik mayor Warwick Leeson said many residents made the point they didn't want to confine cats to their properties or lacked the wherewithal.

"Quite clearly, there was not widespread community support and in those circumstances, compliance would have been extremely difficult, if not impossible," Cr Leeson said.

The council will step up an education program about responsible pet ownership.



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Have Your Say

Latest Comments:

Adrian strikes again - if you know these people Adrian ring the RSPCA or you local council - if not you are just as bad or you just made it up - or you imagined it. Cats kill at any given opportunity not just between 5 pm and 7 am - where did you get that load of rubbish from? Cats are opportunistic killers who will kill when they have the opportunity at day or night - ever seen one stalking a bird during the day? Of course you have, Adrian. You might not remember it but you have. Wake up!!

Posted by: DJP of Melbourne 12:06am today

Its amusing reading all these ignorant comments from haters of a gorgeous, loveable, and extremely vital part of our society - cats. All the stuff about cats being bad for the environment and fauna, is pure bulldust - a complete myth. Sure, cats aren't native to Australia, then again, neither are we! Every specie in Australia, from birds up to humans, were introduced. A friend in Environment Parks and Wildlife said that the old wives tale about cats being damaging to the fauna is just that: a myth. Apparently, when it comes to wildlife kills, cats aren't even a blip on their collated statistics radar. Number one; is human development. So lets cull humans from the environment first. Number two, is roadkill. Cats aren't even a problem. So get educated before spouting rubbish. Like was said by someone below, cats perform a health and hygiene service. Unlike dogs, which have no purpose, cats keep our vermin and snake population in check. Would you fools like to be over-run by mice plagues? If anything cats are extremely vital for our enviroment, ecosystem and health and well-being. If cats aren't allowed to do their job, we cannot survive. Cats must be able to roam, to do their vital job, for our benefit.

Posted by: Chloe of SEQ 3:05pm July 20, 2008

if cats were only killing non native rodents and birds then they would not be a problem. Cats should be subject to the same laws as dogs and that is being confined to their owners property and on the lead in the street. Its amusing to read the daft comments from overseas people who have no idea of Australian Faunas endangered state. Personally I find cats useless creatures that are good for amusing the pitbulls.

Posted by: Madeleine of 2:43pm July 20, 2008

Responsible cat owners should keep them inside.

Posted by: Corinne Grasso of New York USA 12:11pm July 20, 2008
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