Emotive feedback over plan to put ban on cats

It’s been called ‘‘an idiotic example of PC madness,’’ a ‘‘protracted and contentious issue’’ and ‘‘outrageous’’.

Some people even liked the idea, calling it ‘‘fantastic’’.

Environment Southland staff have received some emotive feedback from both sides of the argument since it announced a proposal to ban cats in the seaside suburb of Omaui, near Invercargill.

Director of operations Jonathan Streat said the proposal had received considerable national and international media coverage since it was released last month. ‘‘We understand that this is an emotive topic.

‘‘The wide ranging media coverage has created some interesting discussion, particularly on social media. This has been both positive and negative, informed and ill-informed, as is characteristic of these platforms.’’

Under a Proposed Regional Pest Management Plan, domestic cats will be microchipped on Stewart Island/Rakiura and at Omaui, near Invercargill.

Omaui cat owners will be unable to replace their cat when their current one dies under the new plan, a move designed to protect the area’s native birdlife, including tu ı pıwakawaka, ka ka riki, kereru (wood pigeons), pıwakawaka (fantails) and tomtits.

The plan also covers rules for 72 specific pests, but Streat said most of the feedback the council had received so far had been about cats.

‘‘I want to reinforce that we are at the consultation stage . . .’’

Submissions can be made online at www.es.govt.nz