New Bruny Island cat laws see owners unable to restrain their felines fined $1700

Cat owners in one Tasmanian municipality will soon face a sizable financial penalty if they fail to restrain their felines at all times.

FINES of up to $1700 will be dished out to Bruny Island cat owners if they are unable to restrain their felines at all times from July 1.

The new laws, adopted by the Kingborough Council in a 6-2 vote on Tuesday night, requires cat owners to secure their pet in public places and not allow it to wander onto another person’s property.

A failure to do so will cost them up to $1680.

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The Tasmanian-first by-law was prompted by problems with feral cats affecting the native wildlife on the island.

According to council estimates, about 2000 strays currently roam the island.

Under the new laws, residents will also not be able to keep more than two cats older than six months without a permit or risk being fined $840.

The new by-law was prompted by problems with feral cats affecting the native wildlife on Bruny Island.

Cats would also be prevented from creating a nuisance, such as attacking, biting, menacing or harassing another person or animal, or creating persistent loud noises under the by-law.

Councillor Paula Wriedt, a feline lover herself, said the new rules would help stop cats being neglected and becoming feral.

Other measures in the by-law that would see owners fined $840 if they don’t comply include:

DISPOSING of cat poo left in a public place or another person’s property.

REGISTERING cats with the council.

NOTIFYING the council of a cat’s death, loss or change of owner within 14 days.

MICROCHIPPING of cats older than six months.

DESEXING of cats older than six months.

BANS on feeding feral cats.

Kingborough councillor Paula Wriedt. Picture: JASON ZAMBELLI

Cr Wriedt said if successful she hoped the laws could be rolled out in the reat of Kingborough and possibly throughout the state.

She said council had done a lot of work over the past four years to develop the laws.

“Bruny Island was selected due to problems with significant numbers of feral cats causing problems to wildlife,” she said.

“In order to try and implement this council built a cat holding facility at Alonnah where we can hold cats until their owner can come and get them or they’re identified as feral.”

Cr Wriedt said the council would work with the Bruny community to help them learn how to contain their cats.

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