Claw and order: Local law change could see all Sunshine Coast cats leashed in public

Cat owners on the Sunshine Coast could soon get in trouble if their feline is not kept on a leash in public, as part of proposed local law changes. Vote in our poll.

The Sunshine Coast Council will vote on new local pet laws, including requiring all cats to be leashed in public. Picture- Nicole Cleary

Cat owners on the Sunshine Coast could soon get in trouble if their feline friend is not kept on a leash in all public places, as a part of proposed animal management local law changes.

Sunshine Coast Council will vote at its May 25 meeting on whether cat owners must have their cat secured on a lead at all times outside of private property.

A council spokesman said, under the existing local law, cats were required to be “under direct supervision” of their owner when in a public place but not required to be on a leash.

“The proposed change to this local law aims to provide greater clarity for cat owners regarding their responsibilities,” he said.

“These laws are in place to keep our community, native wildlife and pets – including cats – safe.”

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The spokesman said cats that were allowed to roam, day or night, were a significant risk to themselves and the community.

“They can cause problems with neighbouring animals and wildlife and are at risk of being hit by cars, attacked by dogs, fighting with other cats, causing neighbourhood disputes and breeding with feral cats,” he said.

Community consultation around the law change has resulted in mixed opinions. Photo: Janine Eastgate

Community consultation in regards to the law change attracted half a dozen responses, including a detailed submission from the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation strongly opposed to the move.

“Mandated cat containment is not an effective strategy to reduce roaming cats because most roaming cats are strays with no owner to contain them,” the submission read.

“Even for cats with an owner, containment is often not achievable due to factors such as housing limitations, lack of financial resources and concerns about the welfare of confined cats.”

It said the tactic would increase costs, complaints, impoundments, euthanasia rates and not reduce the overall number of free roaming cats.

“A scientifically proven effective approach is to help people with the desexing and microchipping of their semi-owned cat and supporting them to take full ownership,” it read.

Other submissions supported the change.

“I feel strongly about this amendment as my experience with stray domestic cats in my neighbourhood has been horrific,” one respondent wrote.

The council spokesman said cat owners whose pets were found wandering outside a private property could incur a penalty of $287.

“This same penalty may apply to cat owners whose cats are not secured to a lead under the requirements of the proposed local law change,” he said.