A KEWDALE resident said he was frustrated by the lack of action taken by the City of Belmont about the number of stray cats in the area.
The resident, who did not wish to be named, said a number of stray cats had bred and were killing local fauna.
He said six feral cats he had counted last year had increased to 11, and they recently left duck carcasses on his lawn.
“We used to put my children’s birds on the alfresco area during the day while we were at home but now with the cats we don’t,” he said.
He said he had contacted the City of Belmont who informed him he could hire cat traps, but he thought it should be the City’s responsibility to trap the cats.
He said he was under the impression the Town of Victoria Park trapped cats.
Belmont chief executive Stuart Cole said the City did not have a policy for capturing stray cats, nor the responsibility or resources to do so.
“The City is awaiting the introduction of the Cat Bill 2011 by State Government and will review all issues regarding domestic and stray cats under this new legislation, if it is assented,” he said.
“The City does provide cages at a low rental charge.
“However the City recommends the use of an approved pest control company to resolve these issues.”
Town of Victoria Park chief executive Arthur Kryon said the Town had no powers to capture or impound cats.
“It is hoped that this will change when the State Government passes the new cat laws,” he said.
“Currently if residents have an ongoing issue with wandering or stray cats on their property the Town can offer them a cat trap so they can trap the cat and take it to the vet or the Cat Haven, which is the Town’s preference.”
The Cat Bill 2011, introduced into State Parliament in June this year, aims to provide a State-wide cat control policy.
The Bill includes measures to require mandatory microchipping, registration and sterilisation of cats.