Calls for more patrols on strays in Darwin suburbs

EXTRA measures by Darwin council could be the best way to punish owners who don’t look after their feline friends

AN increased number of cat traps and council patrols of suburban areas could be the best way to punish owners who don’t look after their feline friends.

Alderman Gary Haslett said more work should be done to impound stray cats across Darwin as concerned residents were taking matters into their own hands.

“We have rules which should be enforced. There is some trapping going on – they could be doing more trapping,” he said.

MORE NEWS

Private children’s photos plastered on Facebook page

Darwin prepares for annual Christmas Carols in the Botanic Gardens

Simon Niblock to call for Darwin council meetings to be recorded on video

“I don’t think there is enough trapping. Residents are doing it themselves, getting traps themselves, otherwise we only have it in sensitive areas.”

Owners currently face collection fees of up to $258 to collect their cats from the pound, with more added if the animal is not collected after four days. It comes as the cat containment policy returns tonight to council, which will set strict cat containment measures for two proposed suburbs, Muirhead North and Lee Point, near the Casuarina Coastal Reserve where numerous species of wildlife live.

The policy, which staff will recommend council implement, states cats must be kept indoors or in a cat run, or be under effective control at all times.

Darwin alderman Robin Knox said she was relieved to have the new policy put forward after working on it for more than a year and was looking forward to seeing how council would enforce the policy when updated by-laws are debated early next year.

“I’m quite happy with the policy change and it will have to be backed by by-law updates,” she said,

OFFER EXTENDED: Amazing NT News subscription offer: Read everything for $1

She said she would eventually like to see a high level of cat containment across the entire municipality but it was easier to start with the two proposed suburbs while there were no developments there yet.

“It would be fantastic (to expand the policy), it would be wise to consult with the public but I’ve only ever had positive responses to this,” she said.