Controversial call to stop domestic cat destruction meets mixed response on the Northern Rivers

A retired biologist has started a controversial and divisive petition, calling for tough new rules for cat owners, saying even the RSPCA endorsed “confinement” for moggies.

The petition calls for domestic cats to be better confined in NSW. ​

A divisive call to confine domestic cats indoors has led to a mixed reaction from Northern Rivers residents.

A petition, calling for legislation that “prohibits domestic cat owners from letting their cats roam outside the boundaries of the cat owner’s property” has been circulated across numerous North Coast community groups.

The petition, created by retired biologist Allen Greer, suggests laws be enforced to keep cats in their own yards via keeping them indoors, putting them on a tether when outdoors or keeping them in a cat run.

According to him, the legislation would reduce wildlife death and neighbourhood destruction.

“NSW law considers a cat a ‘nuisance’ only if it “makes a noise that persistently occurs or continues to such a degree or extent that it unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort or convenience of any person in any other premises, or ‘repeatedly damages anything outside the property on which it is ordinarily kept’,” the petition states.

“The burden of proof is on you. Only if you can prove one of these highly subjective offences, can your local council make a ‘nuisance cat’ declaration and act.

“But it is highly unlikely an ordinary citizen could prove either of these two definitions of a nuisance cat to a court’s satisfaction. In all cases, the offences would be fleeting and/or occur at night.

“In effect, therefore, offended owners have no practical recourse to stop a cat coming onto their property and doing whatever it likes. The current law is ineffective, and ineffective law is bad law.”

He claimed the confinement method was recommended by RSPCA.

“No other domestic animal is allowed to roam freely through our neighbourhoods, so why should domestic cats?” the petition states.
On one local community board, where the petition was shared, commenters were in a flurry on both sides of the debate, indicative of Northern Rivers’ general response.

“Our cats have a big cat cage they live in through the day but are in the house at night, when raining or really cold. Very happy cats and our many birds, lizards and frogs are safe and so are the cats,” one resident said.

“My cat is too busy killing rats and mice to be bothered with a bird … it’s a fact that dogs kill more wildlife than the domestic cat. What cat hater thought this a good post to put up and why has admin not deleted it,” one resident wrote.

“Dogs also reek havoc on humans big and small. Native ducks chooks, cats etc. It’s the owners that are the problem not the pet,” another wrote.

To check out the petition, head here.

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