Cat curfew to be trialled by Knox Council
Pet owners who fail to lock up their felines at night could be hit with fines, under a new cat curfew being introduced in the outer east.
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Pet owners who fail to lock up their moggies at night could face fines under a new curfew being introduced in the outer east.
In a bid to stop cats killing wildlife and spraying property, Knox Council will trial a cat curfew, requiring owners to keep their cats confined to their premises from sunset to sunrise, from January 1 next year.
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The trial will run for a year before it is reviewed by council officers.
Knox will join a swag of other councils who already enforce the curfew, including Yarra Ranges and Mornington Shire.
People who let their cats roam during the curfew could face a fine of $81 or if the matter goes to court $161.19, and the offending cat may be impounded if it’s not registered.
Cr Nicole Seymour said there was an issue in Knox with cats being allowed out at night killing wildlife and spraying on doors.
“Dogs aren’t allowed to go out at night, why should cats be allowed to roam?” Cr Seymour said.
But Cr Tony Holland called the curfew “a lot of rubbish”.
“I think it’s an old wives’ tale they (domestic cats) kill birds at night,” Cr Holland said.
“Feral cats are doing the damage, not domestic cats.”
He questioned whether council officers would be out “grabbing cats” breaking the curfew.
Acting city development director Paul Dickie said he expected the community would follow the new law without the need for significant enforcement.
Mr Dickie said the council will respond to complaints and take action, but will not be camping outside homes to catch cats.
Cr Darren Pearce said council should not be introducing new local laws if it was not going to enforce them.
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