Cats

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The Cat and the Law

In April 1996 the law about cats and dogs changed. These laws are set out in the Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act 1994. It gives local Councils powers to control dogs and cats living within their boundaries. Before this new law came into effect cats had few rights. A cat taken to a shelter as a stray could be euthanased immediately and no one was sure how long they should keep it if it looked "owned". It was also very difficult to do anything about nuisance cats belonging to an irresponsible individual. The new law gave cats the same status as dogs and similar responsibilities for the cat owner as the dog owner.

THE LAW

If you own a cat, you must:

• register each cat (over 6 months) you own,
• stop your cat straying onto another person's property if the person objects,
• obey any Council orders about keeping your cat confined to your property,
• and the cat must wear its council identification tag when outside your property and most Councils require the cat to wear a tag with and the name, address and phone number of the owner.

If you keep a cat or if you are taking care of someone else's pets then you are the owner under the law and are responsible for that animal (including fines and any damage done by the cat).

THE LAW FOR OTHER PEOPLE

Other people can object to:

• noisy cats,
• cats creating a health risk,
• cats being repeatedly on their property without their permission.

THE LAW IN YOU MUNICIPALITY

Most of the law is the same throughout Victoria . However certain councils make their own laws, such as whether cats must be confined and over what hours. Sherbrooke is very strict as they are trying to protect animals in the nearby state park. Other councils require cats to be kept in after dusk. This is not just a council law it is also extremely sensible. A cat out at night is more likely to be hit by a car (94% occur at night) or injured in a fight with another cat. Fighting transmits feline AIDS. Cats also are more disturbing to neighbours when they are prowling around at night. And, finally, cats do most of their hunting at night. If they are indoors they have less opportunity to injure our wildlife.

Most Councils have made a local law about the number of cats that may be kept on premises in Council areas. Commonly that number is limited to two cats and an owner would need a permit to have any more.

FINES

Most offences are dealt with by "on-the-spot" fine, issued by a Council officer. The fines range from $50 - $200 (at Nov 1997).

If the offence is more serious or you keep committing the same offence, you may be prosecuted in the Magistrates Court . The fines are higher ($100 - $1000) and the magistrate could order you to pay court costs and damages.

A person who has suffered some injury or loss because of your animal's behaviour can also sue you separately for damages.

For instance, if your unregistered cat is caught outside your property and taken to the pound, you may be fined for having an unregistered cat ($200, maximum for a first offence is $500), and for the cat not wearing an identification marker outside your property ($50, maximum first offence $100). Also you will have to pay the pound fees to get it back from the council.

Abandoning your cat carries a very heavy penalty.

he changes to the law has benefited the cat as well as the community at large. It is your responsibility to up hold the law and to take care of all your pets. (Much of it is common sense however some people don't have much sense and governments have to intercede.)

Ignoring the law is costly and time consuming.

When obtaining a cat for the first time you should contact you local Council to discover what restrictions and additional local laws apply.

Most of this information is from "Dogs, cats, neighbours & you".
A consumer guide about owning a dog or cat produced by the Victoria Law Foundation

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