GAWLER Council staff would have the authority to seize and destroy cats found to be “wandering at large” under new local legislation currently in the pipeline.
According to the council’s draft Cats By-Law 2019, Clause 12 – titled ‘Seizure, Detention and Destruction of Cats’ – would give an “authorised” staff member the power to “lawfully dispose
of, destroy or injure” any detained cat if not claimed within
72 hours.
A cat could also be destroyed should fees incurred by the council in seizing it not be paid within seven days of the request for payment.
Gawler mayor Karen Redman said the changes have been “specifically worded to mirror the legislative process already outlined in the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 for the destruction and disposal of seized dogs”.
“This will ensure an equivalent and consistent approach to enforcement can be taken by authorised officers when dealing with both dogs and cats in the same circumstance,” she said.
“In practice, as is currently the case for unclaimed dogs, every
effort would be made to re-home any unclaimed cats via the assistance of adoption programs run by agencies such as the Animal Welfare League and the RSPCA.
“However, the ability for council to dispose of unclaimed cats
if deemed necessary, particularly feral cats, is considered an appropriate for effective management.”
Currently, the Act only permits councils to seize and destroy cats if they are “located in reserves or sanctuaries under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972; wilderness protection zones or areas under the Wilderness Protection Act 1992; in an area designated by the Governor; or if they are located more than one kilometre from any place used as a place of
residence”.
“This approach would leave obvious enforcement gaps under
the draft by-law when dealing with the management of cats in
built-up areas, such as within the Town of Gawler,” Ms Redman said.
The Dog and Cat Management Board, which works closely with the State Government to improve dog and cat management in South Australia, has relayed concerns to
council about Clause 12, and recommended it be removed from the proposed new by-law.
One other significant change would be capping the number of
cats allowed per Gawler household at two, unless owners can
prove to the council the keeping of them would not create unsanitary conditions, a nuisance to neighbours, and that they are desexed.
Gawler East resident Katherine Heaven, who owns two
cats, said the council should not have the authority to euthanise any feline that is clearly a family pet.
“If they’re microchipped or have a collar, they’re obviously owned by someone,” she said.
“I do see a lot of posts on Lost Pets of SA (Facebook page) of
lots of cats bolting out of the house and leaving for maybe a
week or so, and it’s often not the owner’s fault, it’s just an accident.
“If the council happened to pick them up, and the owner doesn’t ring the council to find out where they are, (and if something were to happen to the cat as a result), then that’s a bit of a worry.”
Council’s existing Cats By-Law is due to expire on January 1, 2020.