The WA parliament has intervened to stop a Perth council from bringing in fines for people who allow their cats to roam.<\/p>\n
However, the state government has indicated it will put cat control into the hands of local governments in the future.<\/p>\n
The City of Bayswater had been attempting to bring in a local law to stop cats from wandering onto other people’s properties or roaming unrestrained in public spaces.<\/p>\n
The parliamentary committee that reviews local laws rejected the city’s request, and the committee’s decision was upheld by WA’s upper house, despite opposition from crossbench MPs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Several WA councils have tried, and failed, to bring in laws to see cats contained on their owner’s property. (ABC South West: Ann Carter)<\/p>\n
“It means that Bayswater can’t go ahead with very sensible legislation,” Legalise Cannabis MP Brian Walker said.<\/p>\n
“I’m a cat lover, I have a cat at home myself \u2026 but I’m also aware that cats can cause untold damage to our flora and fauna, so we need to be responsible owners.<\/p>\n
“That does require that we don’t allow them to roam free and kill the mammals and birds in our area.”<\/p>\n
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Self-described cat lover Brian Walker says the plan to keep cats contained was a “sensible” approach. (Supplied: Brian Walker)<\/p>\n
Over the years, more than 20 local governments have attempted to bring in similar controls, but few have got them past the parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation.<\/p>\n