Campbelltown Council to introduce by-law to control cat movements

A councillor’s impassioned plea against regulating cats has fallen on deaf ears, with her colleagues overwhelmingly voting to introduce a by-law controlling their movements.

A councillor has failed to convince her colleagues to abandon plans to introduce a by-law to control cats, arguing it is costly and unnecessary.

Campbelltown Council voted in January to develop the by-law after community consultation revealed residents wanted action against roaming cats.

Three councils already have cat by-laws which involve compulsory registration, desexing, microchipping, confinement and curfews.

During an emotional speech on Tuesday night, Cr Therese Bonomi unsuccessfully urged elected members not to introduce similar measures.

Cr Bonomi said cat by-laws had become “superseded” by compulsory desexing and microchipping introduced last July.

Councillor Therese Bonomi with the cat trap she displayed at the Campbelltown Council meeting. Picture: Colin James

“The identity of cats, the identity of their owners and their address is captured on the government data base,” she said.

“With the legislation to desex cats we already have an effective solution to curtail the cat population and behaviour issues associated with non desexed cats.”

She was supported by two cat advocates, Helen Wright and Jillian Marston, who made deputations detailing how they believed existing cat by-laws were not working for other councils.

Cr Bonomi said a cat by-law would have significant financial implications for all ratepayers as it would require council resources to enforce.

“It is not the mice, lizards and birds, it will be the cat owners who are the prey if cat by-laws are implemented,” she said.

Cat advocates Helen Wright (standing) and Jillian Marston address the Campbelltown Council. Picture: Colin James

“If it is based on the same model as dog registration the fine will be $250 (for roaming cats).

“If it is not paid in the prescribed time, it increases. If still not paid, it goes to the Fines Enforcement Payment Unit, a State Government agency.

“They then take over the fine from council and impose the victims of crime levy of $195 including taking away your driver’s licence if it is not paid.

“We cannot possibly consider imposing this on our residents, when nearly all other councils don’t.”

Cr Bonomi urged councillors to stop the hiring of cat traps, saying they were being used to catch family pets which were either dumped or euthanased.

In an unusual move, she asked a council staff member to bring “the instrument” into the chamber so she could show it to her colleagues.

“Many people consider their cats as loved and cherished members of their family,” she said.

“Currently their cats are exposed to cat hating people who can simply pick up a trap from council and bait it, which can lure one of these much loved cats into a trap up to three houses away.

Councillor Therese Bonomi holds a cat trap as she implores her colleagues not to introduce a bylaw targeting felines. Picture: Colin James

“They then can do as they please with the cat. Kill, torture, deliver to RSPCA, dump in a reserve, drown. Basically anything they want because we have nothing in place to police it.”

Cr Bonomi said cat trapping should only be done by professionals while desexing was available through organisations such as Cats Assistance to Sterilise (CATS).

“The ink has not dried on the legislation for desexing and microchipping,” she said.

“We need to give it the time to work.”

Cr Bonomi said council should be guided by experts on animal management.

“I support this in favour of imposing greater costs to our ratepayers on something that has failed or failed to be implemented in nearly every other council across South Australia,” she said.

Only one councillor, Anna Leombruno, supported her motion with councillors John Kennedy, Dom Barbaro, Elena Casciano, Luci Blackborough, Matthew Noble, John Flynn and Johanna McLuskey voting against.