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Trapped cats ‘thrown in lake’

09/Apr/2009

By David Gear

Comments: 51 readers have left a comment

A PROMINENT cat welfare society claims animals that stray onto private property are being trapped and drowned in lakes.

The Cat Haven operations manager Roz Robinson said she had major concerns for the welfare of trapped cats, with a Perth council recently introducing a law that allowed people to trap animals that strayed onto their property.

She said the law, introduced by the City of Swan in January, was “policy on the run”.

“We know of cases where a trap, with a cat inside, has been thrown into a lake,” she said.

“There needs to be guidelines on the use of traps. For example, they should be required to be kept in places protected from the elements and be checked every 24 hours.

“There was no thought process behind it and we weren’t consulted about the law at all.

“It just highlights the need for a uniform cat law across all councils.”

The City of Swan has received a number of complaints about the law changes, with neighbours allowed to trap cats on private property and take them to the pound without notifying owners.

The trapped cats that were thrown into the lake were not in the City of Swan.

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What Do You Think?

What everyone else is thinking

Commonsence

17/06/2009

TO ALL THOSE IDIOTS WHO WANT TO GET RID OF CATS.
We humans are more of a threat to the wildlife and to each other here in Australia and in the rest of the world. For example..
Within the next century, we here will almost certainly be under sharia law.
That is a far more serious problem than worrying about the useful cat.

zana

14/06/2009

TO ALL THOSE IDIOTS WHO THINK WE SHOULD GET RID OF CATS COMPLETELY BECAUSE THEY ARE A PEST, WHO DIED AND MADE YOU GOD? If there are pests on this world its definately us. The right way to save the planet would be for us to grow some brains and stop breeding like effing rabbits. HUMANS HAVE NO RIGHT TO DECIDE WHAT IS AND IS NOT A PEST, CONSIDERING THAT NO OTHER ANIMAL HAS EVEN COME CLOSE TO OVERPOPULATING AND DESTROTING THE PLANET AS MUCH AS WE HAVE.

crystal

08/06/2009

Whether this particular event is accurate is probably not the most important thing.

If we were to sterilise and register cats, everyone..cat lovers....cat haters...cats, would all be better off.

Abakat

03/06/2009

I'd want to set the record straight regarding the story of a trapped cat being drowned in a lake by the Cat Haven manager. At the time of the incident Cat Haven then General Manager carried out a comprehensive investigation into the allegation and they were found to be untrue. The information came from an elderly pioneer member of Cat Haven given to her by someone who she couldn't remember the name of.
Continual reference to this heresay event should cease as it is unproven and is attention seeking by current management and committee to keep Cat Haven name in the public arena.

Abakat

03/06/2009

The story related in this article regarding a trapped cat being throwing into a lake to drown, is just that. The investigation held by Cat Haven could not obsolutely verify the event. The investigation was based on heresay evidence given by a third party to one of the pioneer elderly ladies of Cat Haven and happened a couple of years ago. I would suggest to Cat Haven that they do not continue to refer to this story as if it were a true event.

big fat meanys

06/05/2009

ok that is just so mean i cant believe that anyone would really do that to poor little cats its not there folt they dont know how would you like it if you went on someones private property and they put you in a cage and thrown you into a river. i wouldn't even do that to a fly and i hate them there all living things gez

Steve Wainwright

02/05/2009

Kistylea
I am trying to ponder what your views are on one hand you say if your having problems with a cat you should call the ranger and yet on the other hand your appauled by the laws. Well you obviously have no idea of the proceedure to catch a cat to do this you ring the ranger to get the trap and when the cat is caught you ring the ranger to pick it up. End of Story you dont dispose of the cat yourself ie:drowning Before these laws were introduced the ranger had no legal avenue of dealing with a problem cat the shire did not deal with the issue!!. And there was no one else that would assist which could drive people to do what this picture shows. I would argue that now you can deal with a cat legally drowning is less likely. Kirstylea its really simple if you want to own an animal keep it confined to your property, you will never have to worry about it being trapped. But if you dont then make sure it is tagged so it can be returned to you ITS WHAT IS KNOWN AS PET RESPONSIBILITY

Commonsence

28/04/2009

k.inhills
So you want to get rid of cats in Australia completely. Well think on this. All animals are on this earth for a reason, even yourself.
Cats have been around since time began, became tame during the time when cave men were around.
Cats do a service, even though you don't realize it. How do you think rats and mice are kept under control? I prefer felines doing the job to poisoning and maybe contaminating the food chain.
They are good doing this because, hunting and chasing is their nature.
I am sure through the centuries they have killed native animals, but their action will not annihilate them. It is us, mankind that does that so very well all in the name of progress.

k.inhills

19/04/2009

Cat laws or legislation Australia wide should be introduced with the sole purpose to rid this Country of cats completely. We have a diverse array of mammals and marsupials that could substitute as a pet for the introduced killer a lot of people give succor to.
How good would our neighborhoods be if we had our native fauna living around us.
Such contentious direction would be over a 50 year period. So that after 15 years no one could legally obtain a young cat, that would allow 35 years to achieve the result. Kids would be educated at an early age the benefits of for our Country without these animals.

Cat Lover

18/04/2009

We live in the City of Swan, we rent and a cat is all we are allowed in the rental, due to our fury friends being clean. I do believe cats should be sterilised and chipped for safety sake. We love our cat dearly, when our cat goes outside we always watch it or sit outside with the cat. Sometimes our neighbours cat comes over and their is a bit of a fight but nothing serious, it's more vocal than anything. Hey my neighbours are noisier than my cat, our neighbour screams and swears all day at her kids. Can we kill her too. However the option of trapping and killing our pets is not an option. Come on people, what kind of nature are these CAT KILLERS. So these councillors say that since they enforce such harsh laws on cats, should we kill their pets if they stray? NO OF COURSE NOT WE HAVE A HEART. Cat Lover
What is it really that this law is trying to do.

Commonsence

16/04/2009

to Kel-
How I hate people who exagerate...so many cats in your neighbourhood. It must be so frightening to go for a walk with so many cats lurking in the bushes, trees..come off it sheer exageration. If there are so many cats around you you must be knee deep incat crap. Come off it more exageration. So many dead birds in yur neighbourhood...come off it more exageration. Sounds to me you dont like cats and want to add your two pennyworth of stirring. Stay indoors and watch your TV like a good boy

Responsible

15/04/2009

I can't see why i need to have my pets disturbed by wandering neighbourhood cats. The threat of cat trapping can only lead to cat owners finally being responsible pet owners. The subsequent RSPCA approved method of shooting with a suitable caliber firearm in the head or other humane destruction (such as 'Green Dream') the cat is not cruel and is a suitable method of problem resolution.

Commonsence

15/04/2009

To all you parents with a childs sand pit in your garden...do what I did when my children were small. We covered the sand pit every night. As to finding dead birds..well sometimes they are killed by larger birds..killing frogs inyour garden..I had a pond with frogs living in it. My cats just watched, did not kill any. When I sold my house the new owner filled the pond in. So much care for our frogs went to waste.
Cats crapping in your garden...well the size of a cats dropping in not large when you compare it to any dog larger than a cat. I have just cleared my garden borders up, all the plants are flourishing, and the cats crap was all sun dried and very hard to find.
Dogs that are left alone all day bark because they are incapable of amusing themselves. They miss their owner and get bored and dig and bark, bark, bark..
Cats left alone all day, spend the day sleeping.
Cats do not generallly opt for spending the night outside, especially neutered ones. Less aggro if in doors.

Sad

15/04/2009

I am disgusted at the new cat laws. How can anyone condone such cruelty . If irresponsible parents stopped buying their kids kittens from pet shops, only to throw them out when they are not cute anymore the problem may be somewhat curbed. Also I agree that pet shops should be banned from selling kittens but what about breeders? People who knowingly drown a neighbours cats should be prosecuted for animal cruelty or reported to the R.S.P.C.A. For you people who have either deliberately killed a cat or intend to I hope you realise the distress you have caused a family or an aged person whose only company may have been their pet cat! I do understand the problem with cats but you have to look at the people who deliberately let their cats breed. People who take revenge on innocent animals are showing a reflection of thier true character. The owners, petshops and breeders are the ones who should take responsiblity.

kel

15/04/2009

FINALLY a council is doing something about this huge problem... We live on a big block with many native trees and finding dead birds/cat poo is extremely frustrating especially when my kids are the ones discovering this :(
Please other councils take note of the huge support the City of Swan is receiving from the public on this issue and follow their lead!

Robin Barnes

15/04/2009

I congratulate the City of Swan on the introduction of their cat laws. They are overdue. My neighbour traps local cats and disposing of them in ways unknown. Where do these laws protect responsbile owner rights. An owner who restrains cats in a caged outside area. I am this owner and my four cats are important family members, how do I protect my animals in the case of an escape from confines? Eight years ago, I went to the City of Swan offices to register my cats under the dog act (meaning I willingly agreed to keep my cats to the standards of the dog act) and was refused registration. The City of Swan needs to go th extra step and make selling kittens from a pet shop illegal, sure they look cute at four weeks old in the window, but by twelve weeks old they have lost the novelty charm. Pet shops are breeding grounds for potential feral cats when they are left to roam.

Paul

14/04/2009

City of Swan is to be congratulated- i am waiting for my shire to bring in the same laws.I look forward to a cat free commuinity.No more cats urinating on my expensive screen doors which are now ruined- i would be able to work in my garden without putting my hands in cat ---t and i would be able to sleep at night without cats fighting and screeching under my bedroom window.I would rather have native birds and bandicoots in my garden.Gewt a cat trap people-cats make great rose fertiliser.

Suzanne

14/04/2009

I am a responsible cat owner, my 2 cats are kept indoors at all times they even have an indoor/outdoor room to enjoy some fresh air. But on two occasions one of my cats (who came from the RSPCA at 3 yo) has escaped. The first time for 3 days after a door was accidentally left open. A letter drop and a kind family 3 streets away saw him returned safely. The second time for 5 days. This time after another letter drop he came home by himself. He is desexed, wears a collar with id, is microchipped and very much loved . But accidental escapes will happen. (hopefully not again though). Do these laws mean that I should not have the right to have my pet returned safely to me or that someone can throw him in a lake because he is percieved by some to be a marauding killer and a nusiance when in fact he is a well behaved and happy house cat who is not just a pet but a member of our family. I hope he never gets out again because some people are sadistic and now the law is on their side.

DanielC

14/04/2009

I'm all for this new law and i hope the Shire of Collie brings it in. For too long cats have been allowed to roam free and do what they want. Cat owners have also for too long been able to hide away from what their animal gets up to and do nothing to look after it. Cats should be made to be registered just likes dogs and when they are found elsewhere dead or alive the owners should be fined for being useless animal owners.

kirstylea

14/04/2009

I am extremely angry by this! Caging someones cat is OUTRAGEOUS! If you have a problem with an animal (dog,cat etc) call the ranger!! This law will allow sickos to do cruel and sadistic things to cats..THE CITY OF SWAN IS GETTING PEOPLE TO DO IT'S WORK FOR THEM!!!!
I am a rate payer to the City and I pay for my dog to be registered and I would not mind paying a fee for my cat. Speaking of which we have recently lost a beloved cat (my 8 year olds pet), he was desexed, microchipped and kept in at night times and rarely left the yard.
Could he have been trapped? We have called the pound and had to leave a msg as it was unattended??!!!
I would think that people who do trap animals should be aware!!! I would take action against someone who would harm my animals in anyway!!
Yes all animals should be desexed, microchipped and registered and numbers limited but common sense should prevail. It should be the rangers job!

V

13/04/2009

Where are the owners of the stray cats, that use our grand child's sand pit as their own private toilet? I've had to spend time and money removing and renewing the sand. I'll bet these owners would not prepared to fork out money for cleaning the sand pit. This is my property and I should not have to put up with other people's uncontrolled pests. I say "Good on you, Shire of Swan" for bringing in the new laws. NOW ENFORCE it to it's fullest potential. Where do I get a cage?
I have no sympathy for cat owners who want to bury their heads in the sand(they should do it in my sand pit and cop the stench). It's about time and if they can't accept responsibility then 'DON'T OWN A CAT'.
Owners of uncontrolled cats should also cop a HUGE fine! I commend cat owners who take responsibility . These are the people who are not phased by the new laws.

Ash

13/04/2009

the cat law that was brought in by city of swan & joondalup should be congratulated for having the guts to do something to get cat owners to take more care of their pets . and for the cat owners that are taking care of their cats congrats to you for looking after your pet cat . but for the ones who do not take care to see or look after their cats please do so before someone traps your cat . after all a pet is a part of your family so take care of them . an if you do not want it anymore find another home for it .

Teresa

13/04/2009

The artical in the advocate on a cat own who lost a cat for 6 days, well thats your problem for not looking after your own pet. When I had my dog I was held responsible for making sure the dog was registed, chipped and that she did not make to much noise during the day and night as well as not running away. And if you walk your dog in parks you have to clean up after them, which is fair enough. But cat owns they just let them run wild. why should i have to clean up cat poo in my back yard when its not my animal. Cat owns need to be responsible for there own animals as well, other wise why do you have them. cats should have to be registed as well. If i find another cat in my backyard I am going to take it away to a kennel as well. We have so many cats in ellenbrook that something needs to be done. I support the new cat law and there are alot of people i know who do as well and some are cat owners.

Arthur Morgan

12/04/2009

There needs to be a happy medium.

Most sterilised cats are not that harmful to the environment as greenies and cat haters would like us to think. Apart from the odd bird that is unlucky, domesticated cats usually mainly kill mice and surely you don't want to be over-run with them?

Sure there needs to be some responsibility on the behalf of cat owners, but keeping them indoors is as cruel as would keeping a dog or a child indoors 100% of the time. While we're at it, I think keeping birds in aviaries is just as cruel, they need the open air to thrive freely and to have more of a chance to evade a cat.

Today's average teenager is more of an environmental menace than a domesticated cat would ever be, graffiti, litter, decapitated kangaroos, vandalised cars and windows, burnt out shops and bushland.

Nick G

12/04/2009

First and foremost, the Swan City Council should be ashamed of themselves. They are promoting animal cruelty by suggesting anybody that has a problem with a cat has the right to trap and dispose of them. Open season on cats. I suggest anybody caught doing that should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
I agree that cats should not be allowed to roam at will, but have to admit that keeping a cat confined to one's garden is not always as easy as some would suggest.
The biggest problem, apart from the stupidity and arrogance of the Swan City Council is the lack of laws governing the sale of kittens/cats. There should be strict Government controls to make it illegal for Pet shops and Flea Markets etc to sell cats and dogs. Registered breeders should be the only ones allowed. Kittens wanted only for pets and not breeding should be neutered and microchipped. This would eventually reduce the number of unwanted and stray cats, and ensure all future cat litters are well cared for.

Eddy

11/04/2009

EXCELLENT ! About time Councils developed some serious testicular fortitude and ALL adopted similar laws.
As a dog owner, I'm incensed that I must accept responsability for everything,(uncluding barking) my dog does, yet cat owners are not called upon to share similar responsability, in fact as these post sshow, some expect special treatment.
IMHO, any cat, that is foolish enough to enter my back yard, deserves anything that may transpire as a consequence, and if idiot owners refuse to accpet responsability for their cat, I have no problem whatever, finding new home for said cat.

Jesus

11/04/2009

People should not let their animals annoy others. Cats and dogs should be sterilized and contained properly. Also, people who are unnecessarily cruel to animals are 1 small step away from being cruel to people, in fact probably are already in many ways and are often part of the small percentage of morons that ruin every day life for normal people. These sociopaths should also be sterilized as soon as they are detected and kept in confinement for the good of the community. They are on the same level as the animals.

steve wainwright

11/04/2009

If cat owners did the right thing and built cat runs to keep their animals in their own property this would not be an issue. Unfortunaltely there are to many cat owners that are either unwilling or just plain to lazy to make an effort to keep their cats in their own property which is why the City of Swan introduced this law.
Maybe now cat owners willl understand that people who don't choose to own a cat don't want their neighbours beloved animal in their yard invading theire privacy. You wouldn't like it if my kids were in your property digging up your garden or fighting, urinating and pooing on your property.
Ms Robinson you obviously haven't looked at the laws the council supplies you with the cat trap & a letter to letterbox to your neighbours informing them of your intention to trap and once the cats caught the council pick it up you don't dispose of it.

I would argue drowning of cats is less likely under the laws as now there is a correct way to deal with a problem

Barry

10/04/2009

Cats have been in our garden at night and killing the frogs there,if I see them scare the hell out of them. Wish the owners would take responsibility and keep them in doors at night.

The fallacies of man's "wisdom"

10/04/2009

Troy

I have fully endorsed the herd sterilisation of felines and a stricter control on who may take ownership of a cat. However, enlightened man does not incarcerate birds in an aviary. How very primitive of you to criticise the cat while gleefully imprisoning our winged species.

Christine-Helene

10/04/2009

Those awful comments - only Mariah and Commonsence seem to have any feelings - do not make Australians look very nice; they try to rescue whales but kill cats because they dare put a paw in their backyards ?! And aviaries are just big cages if I am not mistaken : how could cats get inside unless they are left open ? Instead of making stupid laws a neutering program of stray cats should be financed by the City; I have been in Perth visiting my daughter and I cannot believe that a country advertising one of the highest standards of living in the world cannot afford to do that.

colsoj

10/04/2009

This is a shocking law that is pure cruelty. I can imagine that stray cats be trapped (but in cages checked regularly, because they could die from heat exhaustion and dehydration if left alone too long) and then brought to a shelter to try and locate their owners but there is no need to be cruel and drown them! I, for one, cannot stand the annoying dogs that my neighbours keep in their gardens all day while they are at work and that bark bark bark. You don't see a law allowing me to shoot them over the fence! Or what about babies that scream their heads off in supermarkets? Should there be a law allowing those bothered by the sound to smother them? It is shocking that there is such cruelty in this city and that people have become so insensitive that they do not see the problem with it. It really brings tears to my eyes to read such callous remarks.

Animal lover

10/04/2009

I can't believe in this day and age we are allowing people to trap domestic animals. The problems arise with the owners of the animals and not the animal itself. The cat is doing what it does on instinct. All people who wish to own a animal whether it be a dog, cat, birds etc should be subject to obtaining a licence. This licence would then be renewed each year subject to review. Maybe this will then stop the unneccesary cruelty to animals.

Sandra

10/04/2009

There is no excuse for throwing cats or other animals into a lake and drowning them. If people find stray animals on their land, they should call the council or the RSPCA to take the pets away and they can be either re-united with their owners or adopted out to new owners by the RSPCA.
If people are killing or hurting animals, they should be charged by the Police for cruelty.

Sharon

10/04/2009

I believe ALL pets in W.A. should be desexed and microchipped before being sold or rehomed. This would solve a great deal of the problems.
If you cant not provide a safe living enviroment for you pet then dont have one.

Nick G

10/04/2009

What a disgusting law... it is totally barbaric that any council has the right to tell people to use a cat trap and get rid of somebody's pet. As has already been mentioned, the council is there to serve... the majority, not the personal wish of a particular councilor. It is high time this cruel and evil practice is stopped. You may not like cats, but for most, they are a thing of joy and beauty. What next....? Poison any dog that dares tread on your precious lawn!

Rod Green

10/04/2009

I live in the city of swan and am personly delighted with the cat laws they have bought in. In my view they should be tougher. Where i live we have had nothing but problems with cats straying around the neighborhood. For all the do gooders out there please explain to me why i should have to pay hundreds of dollars out for bark busters to come into my home and try and stop my dogs barking at fighting cats during the night. My dogs are kept in and registered as should cats be.I am pig sick of getting up at 3am to stop my dogs barking because of some irresponsible cat owners not keeping there cats inside.
We have cats sh.....ing in our garden and setting of our sensor light during the night.I bet if my dogs were out there wld be a ranger on my doorstep within hours.
To Commonsence, there has been a growing concern for the cat problem and it is about time someone in the council who serve the community as you put it do something about this problem because i am a rate payer aswell

Colin Miller

10/04/2009

Im a dog owner i have to register my dog all the time and must keep it contained on my property and if in the street must be on a lead. If my dog dose something wrong eg bite someone attack a animal i'm held responsibale its about time cats are given same rules as they cause alot of annoyance in neighborhoods by stirring dogs killing native birds fighting bring on the new laws for cats

averill

10/04/2009

Bringing in a Law is one thing; but having it exploited, and used inappropriately is another. To punish all cats and owners, is wrong; only a few hopeless people, do not do the right thing. If people can do this kind of thing to helpless animals, thank God we do not have the same gun laws as the US does, as these type of morons will do what they want.

Karl

10/04/2009

I dislike cats for what they do to native animals but I do not condone cruelty of drowning them in cages.
Commonsence, I think you will find that the council is indeed serving the community. Cats outside the house at night are nothing but vermin.

pussy lover-cat hater

10/04/2009

About time these laws were introduced - dog owners have been policed by the shires for years

jono

10/04/2009

good riddance i hate cats and i condone all cat killings

troy

10/04/2009

I look forward to the time when these cat laws are introduced into the Bayswater council . I have 3 aviaries in my back yard with no birds , due the fact that other peoples pets (cats) come onto My property killing MY pets . Sick of finding the heads of native/endangered birds on my front yard and cats fighting on my roof at 3am . My advice to cat owners is that you only have yourselves to to blame , If cat owners won't take any responsibility then I guess legislation is the only option .

unhappy

10/04/2009

Behaviour like this from anyone is not acceptable. I am a cat owner, but still have a huge problem with wandering cats from other yards digging up my plants and doing their business in my garden. They visit at night when they can't be chased out, I find cats in my yard that are not identified by any collar, and I don't know who owns them (if anyone). My cat is happy inside, or in the large caged cat run in my yard. I have complained about the nuisance cats. The owners who let them wander knowingly onto other properties are basically saying to their neighbours that they don't care about them, and their cat is more important. I find this a daily frustration, and personally I am sick and tired of the cats in my area not being kept at their own homes.

Deborah

10/04/2009

As owner of an 11 year old sterilised cat which is kept inside at night. There are times she cannot even go outside in her own backyard for fear of being jumped on by other cats. I for one am sick of having to rescue her from her own backyard when they have her cornered.

feline

09/04/2009

Thank-you Mariah and Commonsence, could not have put it any better.

Mariah

09/04/2009

I am a proud owner of two beautiful rats and a cat. They are harmonious with each other and I make sure that I always keep an eye on them. It is up to the owner to take responsbility for their animals. Get your pet sterilised and leave it indoors during the night.

Punky Brewster

09/04/2009

That cat is huge-normous! Look at its dangerous teeth!

Bruce

09/04/2009

What a great cage.

meow

09/04/2009

Great pic. That cat should model.

Commonsence

09/04/2009

Here we go...thanks to the City of Swan and Joondalup City we now have 'open season' on cats. This is animal cruelty, this law must be revoked. These so called Councils are bowing to the few and MUST stop this immediately. I know that one of the concellors for Joondalup used her position to reopen this disgusting and thoughtless law because her pet quinea pig was attcaked by a cat.
Councils are elected to serve the community, not their personal wishes.

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