Poor kitty! Council enforces law that bans cats from going outdoors
A council has introduced a new rule prohibiting cats from roaming the streets, as owners will now be forced to keep them on a leash when outdoors.
Darwin council in the Northern Territory has voted in favour of a law proposed by alderman Robin Knox.
The containment policy will be enforced in the developing suburb of Muirhead, and will prohibit cats from being outside a resident’s property unless they are on a leash or in a cage.
“Council by-laws require all cats in the municipality to be registered and not to leave the owner’s property unless under effective control (caged or on leash),” alderman Knox told NT News.
“The development of new suburbs provides the opportunity for public education of the application of a cat containment policy and for council to apply the policy from the establishment of the new suburbs.”
Knox is hoping the law makes its way to other suburbs which was the initial suggestion.
Environmental Protection Service NT manager Peter Pitcher said that native wildlife feel disturbed when cats freely roam around.
“In other places people use cat runs and build cat shelves, just somewhere for your cat to get around inside. There’s not any need for your cat to be outside,” he said.