A contentious cat-culling competition in North Canterbury has resulted in the killing of 370 feral cats, drawing significant attention and criticism. One participant, Jimmy Maxwell, claimed the top prize of $500 after killing 65 cats. The event, organized as a fundraiser by local farmers, has faced backlash from animal rights groups and raised questions about its ethics and legality.
Animal rights protesters reported clashes with participants and instances of children throwing rocks at them. Video footage showed a young child dragging a dead cat through an obstacle course, further fueling the controversy.
Event organizer Matt Bailey defended the competition, explaining it began as a pig hunting event before expanding to include feral cats due to their increasing numbers. He emphasized the threats feral cats pose to farms, including the spread of diseases.
Bailey assured that household cats were not targeted, as traps were placed 10 kilometers from residential areas and checked daily. He called for legislation requiring desexing, microchipping, and registering cats to prevent them from being dumped in the countryside.
Despite the outcry, Bailey believes the publicity has helped raise awareness about the issue, suggesting the controversy might lead to legislative changes to address feral cat populations more effectively.
