A new law implementing a cat curfew will come into effect in Melbourne City in October. Photo: Unsplash
The Melbourne City Council has voted to implement a cat curfew, which will require pet cats to be kept inside overnight from 8pm to 6am.
In an effort to protect wildlife and keep wandering cats under control, the council will now also ban cats from the city's waterways and major parks at all times, unless restrained and accompanied by their owner.
"Our parks, gardens and waterways are home to a wide range of wildlife species that are at risk from predation of roaming cats," a Future Melbourne Committee review states.
"Cats prey on small animals, including native species, and are estimated to kill millions of mammals, birds and reptiles annually."
However, one councillor, Andrew Rowse says the cat curfew doesn't go far enough.
"The cats that might be allowed to roam at night will eat and kill more mammals, and those that are allowed to wander during the day will encounter and naturally kill birds.
"Day or night curfews only change the type of animal caught and killed, but not the overall kill rates."
The new law will come into effect in October.
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