Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May has taken a swipe at an Adelaide council's "revolting" proposal to implement a nightly cat curfew for local residents' felines.

Key points: Brian May urged Adelaide residents to "fight this, dear friends" in a social media post

Brian May urged Adelaide residents to "fight this, dear friends" in a social media post If the by-law is passed, Marion council residents in breach will face a $187.50 fine

If the by-law is passed, Marion council residents in breach will face a $187.50 fine RSPCA SA has raised concerns about "cat haters" being able to access the council traps

May, who was in Adelaide this week for Queen's concert with American musician Adam Lambert, posted his objection to the proposal on his social media accounts after noticing a newspaper headline alongside his concert review.

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The City of Marion, in Adelaide's southern suburbs, would be the first local council to implement a cat curfew by-law if a State Parliament committee gives it the green light.

The curfew would enforce owners to keep their cats indoors from 9:00pm–7:00am, and 10:00pm–6:00am in daylight savings hours.

"They're gonna [sic] trap cats?" May posted.

"What miserable bastard thought that one up?

"A law like this would give the worst elements of society carte blanche to abuse their neighbours' pets.

"How absolutely vile."

Marion Mayor Kris Hanna told ABC Radio Adelaide's Ali Clarke that he knew the proposal would attract controversy.

"I acknowledge that it's a divisive issue, and there are some cat owners and people who love cats who are not in favour of the cat curfew," he said.

"Having said that, there are a number of responsible cat owners that actually put their cats in at night anyway."

Owners to be fined for breaching by-law

Mr Hanna said under the proposed by-law, Marion residents whose cats were caught during the curfew would be fined $187.50.

He said the by-law was designed for disgruntled neighbours of wandering cats, along with residents concerned about local wildlife, to help council locate cats at large.

"They can then request a cat cage from Marion Council, which would then be provided," he said.

"If a cat is caught then, first thing in the morning, I would expect they would phone for a council inspector to come and find that cat.

"If it's identified — which it should be, because they should all be microchipped now, by state government law — the inspector would take it back to the owner and say 'well, you've had this cat wandering at large or on people's private property when it shouldn't be', and there's the potential then for the fine.

"Alternatively, if it's an unidentified cat, just like an unidentified cat found on the streets these days, in any council area, it can be taken off to a pound."

Mr Hanna said about two-thirds of respondents to council surveys on the proposal were in favour of the law, and the specific hours suggested.

Council has now signed off on presenting the by-law to the State Legislative Review Committee.

RSPCA raises concerns about animal abuse potential

RSPCA South Australia chief executive Paul Stevenson said the animal welfare organisation was supportive of cat curfews "in principle", but is worried about how the regulations will be implemented.

Under the cat curfew by-law, council would return trapped cats to their owners with a $187.50 fine. ( ABC Central West: Melanie Pearce )

"Obviously, cats that are wandering need to be trapped … Our belief is that needs to be done properly and humanely," Mr Stevenson said.

"We strongly support the notion of animal management officers being in charge of putting out traps.

"Unfortunately, there are people out there who don't like cats — hate cats — and too often we see what happens to cats when they are trapped by these sorts of people.

"It's really of concern to us if the council is just handing out traps to anyone — I know they're talking about an education process and some training, and that's very good, but there needs to be some really close monitoring that the traps are being used properly."

Mr Stevenson said RSPCA research indicates the broader community is "overwhelmingly" supportive of cat curfews.

He also stressed the organisation's belief that keeping cats contained on owners' property is "part of being a responsible cat owner".

"For the safety of the cats, it's really important. Our rescue inspectors see so many cats that are injured because they're wandering, they get attacked by dogs, they get hit by cars, and various other things."