Claws out over Smalley’s cats in the ranges
Broadcaster Rachel Smalley’s bengal cats have been accused of hunting local birds in the Waita¯ kere Ranges.
The spat between Smalley and her neighbours played out on a local community Facebook page for the town of Piha.
Piha residents expressed concern over her two cats posing a threat to local wildlife.
A resident said she had chased the two cats out of her house and had been forced to move a bird feeder inside.
‘‘These cats will kill hundreds of birds, lizards and insects in their lifetime and this saddens me greatly.’’
Complaints also accused the cats of stalking free range chickens in the area, attacking other cats and roaming through several properties.
Smalley declined to comment for this story but responded to criticisms on Facebook.
The broadcaster said she bought the cats due to a rat problem.
‘‘One of the reasons we have had such a rat issue at the top of the hill is because of the open composting and the prevalence of chickens.’’
The cats mainly brought rats homes, as well as ‘‘the odd weta, two blackbirds and a couple of barbecue utensils. If you’ve lost a spatula off your Weber, let me know’’.
Smalley said an issue like her cats could bring out the worst in Piha.
‘‘I have introduced cats to the area, not Islamic terrorists armed with AK47s.’’
Following a few dozen responses from neighbours about the cats, Smalley said she was going to tag out of the debate.
‘‘I am working on election coverage today addressing (hopefully) some genuine first world problems - child poverty, soaring infant hospital admissions, inequality, climate change and the housing crises.
‘‘So Piha’s life threatening chooks v cats v bird crises might have to go on hold for a bit.’’
The breed of bengal cats are known to be active predators.
It has a distinctive spotted coat and was originally bred to look like an exotic jungle cat.
John Edgar, of the Waita¯ kere Ranges Protection Society Board, said that while having predatory cats in the ranges might not be advisable, there was no law against it.
‘‘Dogs can cause problems too.’’