{"id":160014,"date":"2022-07-08T15:54:58","date_gmt":"2022-07-08T15:54:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=160014"},"modified":"2022-07-08T15:54:58","modified_gmt":"2022-07-08T15:54:58","slug":"pet-cats-to-be-leashed-after-vote-as-city-crackdown-on-free-roaming-felines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/pet-cats-to-be-leashed-after-vote-as-city-crackdown-on-free-roaming-felines\/","title":{"rendered":"Pet cats to be leashed after vote as city crackdown on ‘free-roaming’ felines"},"content":{"rendered":"

A major city has plans in the works to ban pet cats from being allowed outside without being on a leash. <\/p>\n

A motion has been submitted to Toronto City Council in Canada, with some environmentalists arguing that roaming cats pose a threat to local ecosystems as well as bird and rodent populations. <\/p>\n

There are also concerns around cats endangering themselves, either being hit by vehicles or attacked by other wildlife.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Woman finds missing cat hanged with washing line by 'sicko' in neighbour's garden<\/b><\/p>\n

Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker told a committee on Wednesday (July 6): \u201cIf you love your cat, keep Fluffy indoors."<\/p>\n

The proposals are looking to alter an amendment to the city's bylaws. Currently, a proposed change seeks to prohibit pets from being allowed to roam "at large" with the exception of cats and domesticated pigeons, according to CP24. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

A new motion, filed by Councillor Shelley Carroll, seeks to remove the exception for cats (although cats on a lease will be allowed).<\/p>\n

Councillors on the city\u2019s economic and community development committee voted in favour of Carroll's motion. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m moving [this motion] today because, truly I think people don\u2019t want free-roaming cats,\u201d Carroll said. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt is horrendously traumatic when you find a cat that has met with misfortune.\u201d<\/p>\n

Addressing the committee on Wednesday, Nathalie Karvonen – Executive Director of the Toronto Wildlife Centre – cited a 2013 study from Environment Canada stating that roughly 200million birds are killed by cats in Canada each year. <\/p>\n

However, the bylaw that Carroll is seeking to change hasn't yet been approved. <\/p>\n

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It did not feature on a staff report regarding changes to the city's municipal code dealing with animals this week, and still requires the approval of the majority of Toronto City Council. <\/p>\n

Arguing against the motion, Carleton Grant, executive director of Toronto's licensing and standards division, slammed it as \u201cimpossible\u201d and \u201cproblematic.\u201d<\/p>\n

This comes after a council in Australia approved a law banning roaming cats in November last year. <\/p>\n

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