Bendigo council votes in 24/7 cat curfew, orders dogs onto leashes

Councillors voted the new rules through on Monday night as they shared stories both from their own private lives as well as feedback from residents.

Councillor Margaret O'Rourke shared feedback from one person who had set up humane animal traps in their central Bendigo garden.

"They said to me that they had actually caught eight cats on their property and one dog in their back garden," she said.

"To quote [them], 'we are sad and tired of the dead birds, shattered nests and feathers throughout our garden. If animal owners cannot accept responsibility for their pets then please, council, it's up to you to help'."

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The majority of people who contacted the council with feedback on the proposal supported tighter rules on cat movements, Cr O'Rourke said.

She stressed that cats would not be confined indoors 24/7, just their owners' properties.

Councillor Jennifer Alden said the tighter cat curfews would cut down the number of native animals hunted by domestic felines.

It would also limit disease, "especially when they use children's sandpits as toilets," she said.

"Infections in pregnancy can affect unborn children and also infect livestock."

Cr Alden also welcomed the move to require owners to put their dogs on leads by default when in public spaces.

Until now, dogs have been allowed off lease by default across much of the municipality.

Cr Alden said owners of smaller dogs were particularly supportive of new rules requiring dogs to be leashed except in designated areas.

"I myself have been subjected to terrible abuse when suggesting that an owner was creating stress for my dogs when they [were barked at ] ... or rushed by a larger, unleashed dog," she said.

"Unpleasant interactions can be avoided if people understand the consequences of their actions and act with others in mind."

Councillor Julie Sloan introduced the strategy prior to the vote.

She campaigned as an Animal Justice Party endorsed candidate at the last council election.

Cr Sloan said the broader domestic animal management plan recognised animal sentience.

"That's the ability of animals to feel emotions such as joy, pleasure, pain and fear," she said.

"Animal sentience underpins this plan, ensuring all animals are treated humanely with a focus on minimising stress and fear."

The plan will help the council tackle a range of issues including managing dangerous dog breeds, encouraging pet registration and cutting down on high euthanasian rates, Cr Sloan said.

Changes will be rolled out over the life of the four year plan.

The Domestic Animal Management Plan 2021-2025 is available to view on the council's website bendigo.vic.gov.au

A previous version of this article stated that the changes were taking place immediately. That is not correct and the Bendigo Advertiser apologises for the misunderstanding.

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