Submitters opposed to feral cats being labelled pests

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 regionwide 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 siteled 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.