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Pet owners in Thirlmere and Silverdale will have to keep their cats on a tight leash from now on. Wollondilly Council plans to ban cats from Scotcheys Reserve, Silverdale and Lyn Gordon Reserve, Thirlmere in an attempt to protect native wildlife. The reserves will be declared wildlife protection areas. Cats are prohibited in these areas. Councillors voted to adopt the draft Wildlife Protection Policy at Monday night’s council meeting. Councillor Simon Landow was pleased two sites in the shire would be trialled. “If the trial of the two sites proves successful then I would like other reserves around the shire to become wildlife protection areas,” he said. “At this stage, the policy does not go far enough.” Cr Landow would like to see reserves in The Oaks, Appin and Wilton become wildlife protection areas. The proposal is in response to Cr Landow’s call to implement a controversial cat curfew in December 2016. The cat curfew would have made it illegal for domestic cats to be outside from sunset to sunrise. Under the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998 it is not illegal for cats to be outside at night. Cr Landow is lobbying state government members to change the law to allow councils to implement cat curfews. “Cats are a big concern in the shire,” he said. “Cats roam around and kill wildlife. “At this stage, making reserves wildlife protection areas is all the council can do. The state government needs to change the legislation.” The council’s compliance manager Robyn Cooper said it was the responsibility of pet owners to stop their cats roaming in the reserves. The sites will largely be self-policed. “Sites may be monitored by council staff and it is envisaged that a reactive approach will be taken to monitoring the reserves,” Ms Cooper said. “The council will respond to advice from users of the site and will possibly use cat traps.” Signage will be installed. If domestic animals are found on a reserve declared a wildlife protection area, council rangers have powers to fine owners, at least $880, and impound animals. “Issuing fines for cats found in these reserves is secondary to protection of flora and fauna,” Ms Cooper said. One of the aims of the policy is to educate owners about responsible pet ownership. A related brochure will remind locals of their requirements under the Companion Animals Act, what they can do to be a responsible owner and it will encourage owners to keep their cats inside at night. Last financial year 85 cats were impounded at the council’s animal shelter. Of these, 26 cats were categorised as bon-a-fide ‘feral’ cats. The remainder of the cats impounded were largely rehomed, sold or returned to owners. The policy will go on public exhibition. It will then go back to council for final adoption.

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