Maribyrnong City Council asked to enforce overnight cat curfew and issue fines to protect native animals
Thousands of native animals in Melbourne’s west will sleep easier next week if the local council endorses a community petition demanding a cat curfew.
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More furry friends are set to be locked up overnight as another Melbourne council ponders a cat curfew.
Maribyrnong City Council will respond to a community petition at its meeting next week which would see cats confined indoors at night, if successful.
The 469-strong petition established by Yarraville resident Kat Mcleod requested Maribyrnong implements a curfew between sunset and sunrise.
The petition cited research that found, on average, each “roaming and hunting” cat killed 110 native animals per year.
“Many cats are currently allowed to free roam in the municipality ... this has a devastating impact on local native wildlife, particularly ring-tail possums, lizards and bird species,” Ms Mcleod said.
“Cats are at a much higher risk of illness and injury if allowed to roam. They can live up to four times longer if kept on your property.
“Cats can live their best lives at home when they have a comfortable environment. This could be in your home, yard or in an enclosure.”
Ms Mcleod said the council should implement the council as part of its Domestic Animal Management Plan and issue fines for cat-owners who fail to control their pet.
According to the meeting agenda, scheduled for Tuesday night, the council will receive and note the petition.
Maribyrnong council’s director (corporate services) Lisa King also recommended the chief executive “consider the petition” and determine an appropriate response.
Other Melbourne councils, such as the City of Knox, have enforced a permanent curfew where cats are contained to their properties at all times.
The Herald Sun previously revealed the different rules for cat ownership in each local government area across Victoria.
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