Fur might fly for new council

One of the first decisions facing a new Upper Hutt City Council might prove to be one of the most emotive.

A seemingly run of the mill call for feedback on the city’s existing Keeping of Animals, Poultry and Bees bylaw has gone feral.

While cats are not even mentioned in the 2005 bylaw, 19 initial ‘‘feedback’’ submissions calling for their micro-chipping were received in a rush.

These submissions will be considered in the very first round of meetings for the new council. If they are considered to be of ’’significant interest’’ formal public hearings will be needed as part of the legally required reviewing of the bylaw.

Buoyed by the Wellington City Council’s recent high-profile agreement to include compulsory microchipping in their animal bylaw, the Morgan Foundation has led the submission push here.

‘‘Wellington City Council has led the country . . . now we have our next opportunity to move towards a Predator Free Wellington, with Upper Hutt consulting on their Animal bylaw,’’ the Foundation’s online rallying call said.

The Wellington council’s decision was ‘‘a massive step forward for both the welfare of cats and our native wildlife,’’ the Foundation said.

Current Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy said reports the city was ‘‘following suit’’ to Wellington were wrong but, with the number of submissions, the issue will need to be considered by the new council.

‘‘Personally I don’t see anything wrong with the present policy but its for the new council to decide how we go,’’ Guppy said.