The council announced the start of public consultation on its general bylaw yesterday and Forest & Bird Waitaki branch chairwoman Chloe Searle, of Oamaru, said she would be encouraging members to make submissions on the draft bylaw’s proposed limit to the number of pet cats people may own.
"I think it’s always going to be a difficult decision to make, because it’s people’s pets and it’s an emotive topic," Ms Searle said.
"Whether it’s two, or three, it’s a good place to start the conversation — that people need to be looking at the responsible ownership of cats — because of the impact that they have on the environment."
For the first time, the proposed general bylaw would limit the number of cats people could have in the district. When the draft bylaw was tabled last month the council’s customer services committee raised the initial recommendation from two companion cats per rateable property to three, unless cats were desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and its owners granted an exemption.
In a council press release yesterday deputy mayor Melanie Tavendale said the bylaw included a "multitude of issues" but the present 2006 bylaw was "out of date".
"During the course of reviewing the bylaw, we have been discussing these proposed changes and the suggested changes have not been taken lightly."
The council had allowed for up to two beehives to be kept on a property without a permit, and roosters would be prohibited in urban areas unless the owner is a member of a breeders or exhibitors club. Filming for commercial gain, busking, and setting off fireworks in public places would all require permits under the bylaw.
The consultation period closes on August 3.
