Feral cats will likely remain on the Otago Regional Council's new pest list, despite 107 people submitting against the idea.
The council will today decide whether to adopt the recommendations of its hearing panel for the Regional Pest Management Plan and Biosecurity Strategy reviews.
The draft pest plan, released late last year, added new pests including feral cats, hedgehogs, feral deer and a range of rodents and mustelids.
The feral cat inclusion drew reaction from both sides of the debate, as 107 people submitted against the idea and 67 people supported it.
Submitter Hanny Pantiasih said it was impossible to tell the difference between feral and domestic cats.
''Domestic cats can go 'feral' if trapped, are in pain or frightened. Chips sometimes go missing or fail.''
Wendy Merritt said cats could control vermin.
''My cat often heads off to our local bush to hunt. Change the status and you put my beautiful helpful friend at risk. Please do not make any cats a pest.''
Many of the submissions opposing the move did so from fears stray cats would be killed.
However, in its response the hearings panel said were no region-wide objectives or rules regarding feral cats.
''The purpose of the plan and strategy is not to recommend specific methods for support and control at this stage.''
The council would develop an action plan including managing the animals at Dunedin site-led areas around the Orokonui Ecosanctuary at Mt Cargill and West Harbour, on the Otago Peninsula, and on Quarantine and Goat Islands in the Otago Harbour.
A further 18 submitters did not want hedgehogs to be included.
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Comments
Cats whether feral or domestic are big killers of our native bird population. They need to be controlled/restricted. Restriction collars on all cats/dogs makes sense if they are roaming around the backyard in case they get out of home range and then they would receive a "shock" reminder to get back into range. It is a cost to pet owners- but I would rather see a fantail than a cat/dog any day...
Yes cats do cause big decilnes in native bird numbers. I doubt we will see a day where a Gov't (local or national) would be strong enough to impliment cat control in the near future.
The areas I see that have not had 1080 droped on them still hold more plentiful bird life than areas that have had repeat applications. That is also the observation of most people who spend frequent time in the bush. Toatally contary to the DoC view of course.