THE Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) adopted an updated version of its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) at the last ordinary meeting, which included a cat curfew to be introduced by the end of 2022 (sunset to sunrise trial proposed) as well as investigating mandatory desexing.
Respondents to a council survey which contributed to the update, reported several issues, including night prowling cats in residential streets, with some residents blaming the cats for triggering their pet dogs to bark during the night, waking sleeping residents.
Council undertook online community consultation over 58 days between June 21 and August 17, reaching 3954 people on all social media platforms, with a total of 81 feedback surveys received in response.
In the survey responses, people reported that numerous cats were seen wandering the streets at night and this was dangerous for both cats and wildlife.
“Most nights we have cats enter our yard and our dogs end up barking and waking people and people would believe our dog is causing the issue,” said one respondent.
“The cat curfew should be 24 hours, not only nights” said another, and one went even further – “cats should not be allowed off an owner’s property.”
The current DAMP (2017 – 2021) came into operation in October 2017.
In accordance with Section 68A of the Domestic Animal Act 1994, council has subsequently revised the DAMP after the most recent community consultation process.
Shire planning and development director, Andrew Goodsell submitted the new plan to council which will cover 2021-2025 and was updated to restrict the proliferation of cats in the neighbourhood.
Responding to a question from Councillor Albert Calvano concerning the investigation of mandatory desexing, Mr Goodsell said he expected this would take a few months.
“I would imagine that we'll be coming back to council with the report in the first half of next year,” Mr Goodsell said.
The cost of desexing for low-income earners, who cannot afford to neuter their pets, is expected to be a consideration of the report.
