“Cat owners don’t understand how much damage their pets can do if they let them roam”

NEGLIGENT cat owners are allowing their killer kitties to brutally maul tropical birds in Nerang.

NEGLIGENT cat owners are allowing their killer kitties to brutally maul tropical birds in Nerang, and one man has been left to pick up the feathers.

Dani Katz, who runs the Wildlife in Nerang community group, spends his days nursing injured birds back to health after rogue house cats shred them to pieces.

“I’ve probably had more than 50 birds needing care in the last few years,” he said.

“At one stage, I had 14 in a giant aviary in my backyard.

“Cat owners do not understand how much damage their pets can do if they let them roam around.

“They are killing native species and it can all be avoided.”

Councillor Bob La Castra said the situation was inflamed when the State Government removed a rule that forced cat owners to have to register their felines.

Cr Castra said he lobbied the Gold Coast City Council to enforce a mandatory cat registration scheme, but lost when he failed to gain the votes.

“The State Government left us high and dry when they abolished their mandatory cat registration policy,” he said.

“Now we have no idea how many cats are roaming around and owners have virtually no responsibility.

“It upsets me when I hear about (birds) being attacked. These cats actually cause a lot of damage to wild animals and no one is prepared to fund a ­solution.”