Cat laws adopted in City of Melville
The City of Melville became the latest council to crack down on cats when it adopted a new cat local law at its July 15 meeting.
The law aims to promote responsible cat ownership and develop a co-ordinated approach to managing cats in the city.
It limits the number of cats that can be kept at most premises without permission to two and bans them from 64 areas, including Goolugatup Heathcote Reserve, Alfred Cove Nature Reserve and Carawatha Park.
Deputy mayor Karen Wheatland said the law was also intended to protect cats, not just to crack down on them.
'I was contacted by a lot of residents when I first bought this motion to council probably four years ago now and there'll be a lot of people out there that are very happy that we've taken this step,' she said.
The city received 87 submissions when the law was advertised for public comment, which resulted in some minor changes.
About 40 per cent of submissions supported it and 45 per cent were against.
A city report said most of the objections were not with having a law but to the changes made, or that it wasn't tough enough.
Objections included not enough areas were listed as cat-prohibited areas and the law needed to be stronger by requiring cats to be contained and a cat curfew.
The city report said the prohibited areas had been reduced after advice from the Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries and the city did not have the power to introduce the more stringent requirements.
'The city acknowledges that there is a strong desire within the community for stronger cat containment requirements than those proposed,' it said.
'The city simply does not have the power under the Cat Act 2011 to implement the tougher cat restrictions the community is asking for.'
Others objected to the two-cat limit, but the city said cat lovers could apply for a permit to keep more.
Cr Glynis Barber admitted the limit was controversial but permission could be granted and the city had been 'very fair'.
The city also considered it reasonable for people planning to keep more cats to consult their neighbours.
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