Minton Farm appeals to Onkaparinga Council to implement 24/7 cat curfew following two shocking wildlife attacks

Minton Farm is urging SA councils to enforce around-the-clock cat confinement after two shocking attacks. Vote in our poll

An animal rescue group has urged councils statewide to implement around-the-clock cat confinement following two shocking wildlife attacks.

Minton Farm founder Bev Langely has drastically wound back operations at her Cherry Gardens animal hospital after more than 30 rescued ducks and ducklings were killed by cats within a fox-proof enclosure on the property.

Ms Langley said the cat carnage was the final straw in a serious of attacks in recent years, prompting her to temporarily stand down 20 volunteers and cease large-scale rescue operations.

This family of ducks was killed by a cat which broke into an enclosure at Minton Farm. Picture: Bev Langley

“I’ve closed Minton Farm – there’s no volunteers, there’s no food coming in, it’s just my husband and I managing it at the moment because I’m traumatised and I can’t cope with any of it,” she said.

“The last attack, that was the catalyst, when I thought to myself ‘I can’t do this any more, I need help from the council and State Government because there is no point in trying to rehabilitate animals if they can’t be kept safe’.

“Something has to be done and that’s why I’ve decided to stand up for the half a billion animals killed by cats in Australia every year.

“It’s such a mindless situation that is so easy to fix, where the cats are safe and happy, where they are contained 24/7 and it really is a win-win for all.”

Bev Langley is calling on councils and the State Government to help protect wildlife from cat attacks. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Ms Langley who has rescued more than 13,000 animals in the past 28 years, said she would present a deputation on cat management to Onkaparinga Council on Tuesday.

She said she hoped her presentation would see the council introduce by-laws to keep cats confined on properties around the clock.

“Every year, there are more and more cat attacks and just recently there’s been a massive increase, be it whether that more people got cats during COVID are now perhaps releasing them during the day as people return to work,” Ms Langley said.

“I know that there are some councils who have or are bringing in new cat bylaws but they aren’t good enough as cats will still be allowed to roam during the day, so it won’t do anything in reducing attacks.

“What we need is 24-hour confinement and that’s what I’m fighting for.”

Onkaparinga Mayor Erin Thompson said she was disappointed about the impact cats have had on wildlife in care  at Minton Farm.