Protect Pets: Advocate for Humane Animal Trapping Policies in Cairns
The issue
To: The Cairns Regional Council
Re: Enhancing Animal Management Policies
We are a dedicated community of animal lovers committed to advocating against all forms of animal cruelty. Our shared mission is rooted in a profound appreciation for the invaluable role that companion animals play in our lives. They enrich our family dynamics, bring joy to our children, comfort to our elderly and offer crucial support to community members dealing with physical and mental challenges.
Our pets provide us with unconditional love, loyalty, and a comforting presence during life's most challenging times. Their contribution to our emotional well-being fosters a vibrant, healthy community. This is evident by the number of Facebook pages dedicated to Cairns’ pet owners and Cairns’ animal lovers and the supportive online community actively engaged in the welfare of Cairns’ pets.
In light of our strong bonds with these animals, we urge the Council to proactively review and enhance its animal management policies, with a particular focus on trapping practices. We believe that effective management should ensure the humane and ethical treatment of all animals, prioritizing their safety and welfare within our community.
We advocate for policies that protect animal rights while reflecting our core societal values of compassion, empathy, and responsibility. By emphasizing humane alternatives and community education, we can create a safer, more supportive environment for both animals and residents.
Unfortunately, current Council policies regarding the loaning of traps do not adequately safeguard the welfare of our feline companions. While most individuals who borrow traps do so without harmful intent, it is naive to assume there are no individuals who misuse traps to harm animals, particularly cats, as evidenced by the case of the tabby Leo in Redlynch. Leo was rescued by a compassionate six-year-old from a local shelter, and he quickly became a beloved member of the family, radiating love, joy, and peace to everyone who crossed his path. With an innate ability to sense human suffering, he would greet guests with gentle enthusiasm, settling beside those grappling with physical or emotional pain, providing comfort simply by being there.
Tragically, during a chaotic moment when his owners were occupied with toilet training two new puppies, Leo escaped from the confines of his home. A neighbour, using a borrowed council trap, caught him and kept him trapped for four days without food or water. Although Leo was eventually returned to the council and reunited with his family, his health had sharply deteriorated, and he had to be euthanised just a week later. It's imperative that the council recognises that the RSPCA have determined that the individual who trapped Leo in a council trap had breached animal cruelty laws.
The loss of a family pet can be devastating, particularly in such cruel circumstances. Pets are not just animals; they are cherished companions, family member who are deeply loved and who provide the same in return. Their absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. For children, the understanding of loss can be profoundly impactful—especially when it results from unchecked cruelty. The emotional scars can extend well beyond the grief of losing a beloved pet, shaping their perception of the world around them. When children witness or become aware of such cruelty, it can instil a sense of fear and betrayal, causing them to question the kindness and morality of others.
This heart-breaking incident underscores our collective responsibility to not only discourage such cruelty but also to reassure both children and adults who are exposed to it. It is vital that we cultivate a sense of hope and security, emphasizing that measures are being taken to address and combat animal cruelty. Our governments need to work diligently to implement and enforce stricter animal welfare laws, providing a framework for safeguarding vulnerable beings. Educating our communities about compassion, empathy, and the importance of treating all living beings with respect is essential in nurturing a more humane society.
Leo's story serves as a painful reminder of the need for vigilance and advocacy in our efforts to protect those who cannot protect themselves. By standing together against cruelty, we can help foster a world where kindness prevails, ensuring that children grow up knowing they are safe and that compassion is valued.
Leo’s story is a poignant call to action for better protection of vulnerable animals.
We encouraging the Council to follow the guidelines that are promoted on their website. Currently, council staff do not encourage neighbours to attempt to resolve wandering pet issues.
“In the first instance, we encourage neighbours to discuss and attempt to resolve neighbourhood conflicts, including wandering pets. It is common that owners are unaware of the nuisance their animal/s are causing.
If you are not comfortable talking to your neighbour or you don't know where the animal lives, contact Council on 1300 69 22 47. We can potentially:
· Capture and impound the cat incurring impound fees
· Issue fines
· Issue a compliance notice to the owner to contain the animal secure”
We urge the Council to consider the following vital changes:
Communication and Legal Implications:
- Clearly communicate responsibilities and potential legal consequences to those hiring animal traps, emphasizing humane treatment and adherence to legal standards.
- Include Queensland animal welfare laws and associated penalties in these communications.
Trap Loan Requirements:
- Require individuals to sign a declaration acknowledging that a captured animal might be a missing, cherished pet.
- Obtain agreement to refrain from causing harm and to check the trap at least twice daily.
- Mandate acceptance of responsibility for the health and well-being of any animal caught.
Application Process for Borrowing Traps:
- Require photographic evidence of a roaming animal on the property before loaning a trap—similar to proofs required for dog noise complaints.
- Request positive identification and proof of residential address for the trap's location.
- Insist on detailed information regarding the roaming animal(s), including species, size, and distinguishing features.
- List each targeted animal individually, if applicable.
- Issue public announcements detailing the suburb or nearby streets where the trap will be set, echoing firework notifications.
Trap Deployment:
- Photo to be uploaded to council on set up of trap and on each day trap remains on-site, allowing council staff to assess if the trap has the appropriate provisions - shelter, water and food prior to any animal entering it
- Allow traps to remain on-site for three days for potential capture, acknowledging expert advice that captures are unlikely beyond two days.
- Require time and date-stamped photos if trap use is extended past three days, facilitating Council's ability to share photos and location details to help pet owners locate missing pets while respecting privacy.
Enforcement of Animal Cruelty Laws:
- Strengthen enforcement of animal cruelty laws to ensure the protection and welfare of all involved animals.
We hope the Council will support our vision for a future where every animal is treated with dignity and respect, reinforcing our community's commitment to kindness and empathy.
Sincerely
Cairns residents against cruelty to animals
694
The issue
To: The Cairns Regional Council
Re: Enhancing Animal Management Policies
We are a dedicated community of animal lovers committed to advocating against all forms of animal cruelty. Our shared mission is rooted in a profound appreciation for the invaluable role that companion animals play in our lives. They enrich our family dynamics, bring joy to our children, comfort to our elderly and offer crucial support to community members dealing with physical and mental challenges.
Our pets provide us with unconditional love, loyalty, and a comforting presence during life's most challenging times. Their contribution to our emotional well-being fosters a vibrant, healthy community. This is evident by the number of Facebook pages dedicated to Cairns’ pet owners and Cairns’ animal lovers and the supportive online community actively engaged in the welfare of Cairns’ pets.
In light of our strong bonds with these animals, we urge the Council to proactively review and enhance its animal management policies, with a particular focus on trapping practices. We believe that effective management should ensure the humane and ethical treatment of all animals, prioritizing their safety and welfare within our community.
We advocate for policies that protect animal rights while reflecting our core societal values of compassion, empathy, and responsibility. By emphasizing humane alternatives and community education, we can create a safer, more supportive environment for both animals and residents.
Unfortunately, current Council policies regarding the loaning of traps do not adequately safeguard the welfare of our feline companions. While most individuals who borrow traps do so without harmful intent, it is naive to assume there are no individuals who misuse traps to harm animals, particularly cats, as evidenced by the case of the tabby Leo in Redlynch. Leo was rescued by a compassionate six-year-old from a local shelter, and he quickly became a beloved member of the family, radiating love, joy, and peace to everyone who crossed his path. With an innate ability to sense human suffering, he would greet guests with gentle enthusiasm, settling beside those grappling with physical or emotional pain, providing comfort simply by being there.
Tragically, during a chaotic moment when his owners were occupied with toilet training two new puppies, Leo escaped from the confines of his home. A neighbour, using a borrowed council trap, caught him and kept him trapped for four days without food or water. Although Leo was eventually returned to the council and reunited with his family, his health had sharply deteriorated, and he had to be euthanised just a week later. It's imperative that the council recognises that the RSPCA have determined that the individual who trapped Leo in a council trap had breached animal cruelty laws.
The loss of a family pet can be devastating, particularly in such cruel circumstances. Pets are not just animals; they are cherished companions, family member who are deeply loved and who provide the same in return. Their absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. For children, the understanding of loss can be profoundly impactful—especially when it results from unchecked cruelty. The emotional scars can extend well beyond the grief of losing a beloved pet, shaping their perception of the world around them. When children witness or become aware of such cruelty, it can instil a sense of fear and betrayal, causing them to question the kindness and morality of others.
This heart-breaking incident underscores our collective responsibility to not only discourage such cruelty but also to reassure both children and adults who are exposed to it. It is vital that we cultivate a sense of hope and security, emphasizing that measures are being taken to address and combat animal cruelty. Our governments need to work diligently to implement and enforce stricter animal welfare laws, providing a framework for safeguarding vulnerable beings. Educating our communities about compassion, empathy, and the importance of treating all living beings with respect is essential in nurturing a more humane society.
Leo's story serves as a painful reminder of the need for vigilance and advocacy in our efforts to protect those who cannot protect themselves. By standing together against cruelty, we can help foster a world where kindness prevails, ensuring that children grow up knowing they are safe and that compassion is valued.
Leo’s story is a poignant call to action for better protection of vulnerable animals.
We encouraging the Council to follow the guidelines that are promoted on their website. Currently, council staff do not encourage neighbours to attempt to resolve wandering pet issues.
“In the first instance, we encourage neighbours to discuss and attempt to resolve neighbourhood conflicts, including wandering pets. It is common that owners are unaware of the nuisance their animal/s are causing.
If you are not comfortable talking to your neighbour or you don't know where the animal lives, contact Council on 1300 69 22 47. We can potentially:
· Capture and impound the cat incurring impound fees
· Issue fines
· Issue a compliance notice to the owner to contain the animal secure”
We urge the Council to consider the following vital changes:
Communication and Legal Implications:
- Clearly communicate responsibilities and potential legal consequences to those hiring animal traps, emphasizing humane treatment and adherence to legal standards.
- Include Queensland animal welfare laws and associated penalties in these communications.
Trap Loan Requirements:
- Require individuals to sign a declaration acknowledging that a captured animal might be a missing, cherished pet.
- Obtain agreement to refrain from causing harm and to check the trap at least twice daily.
- Mandate acceptance of responsibility for the health and well-being of any animal caught.
Application Process for Borrowing Traps:
- Require photographic evidence of a roaming animal on the property before loaning a trap—similar to proofs required for dog noise complaints.
- Request positive identification and proof of residential address for the trap's location.
- Insist on detailed information regarding the roaming animal(s), including species, size, and distinguishing features.
- List each targeted animal individually, if applicable.
- Issue public announcements detailing the suburb or nearby streets where the trap will be set, echoing firework notifications.
Trap Deployment:
- Photo to be uploaded to council on set up of trap and on each day trap remains on-site, allowing council staff to assess if the trap has the appropriate provisions - shelter, water and food prior to any animal entering it
- Allow traps to remain on-site for three days for potential capture, acknowledging expert advice that captures are unlikely beyond two days.
- Require time and date-stamped photos if trap use is extended past three days, facilitating Council's ability to share photos and location details to help pet owners locate missing pets while respecting privacy.
Enforcement of Animal Cruelty Laws:
- Strengthen enforcement of animal cruelty laws to ensure the protection and welfare of all involved animals.
We hope the Council will support our vision for a future where every animal is treated with dignity and respect, reinforcing our community's commitment to kindness and empathy.
Sincerely
Cairns residents against cruelty to animals
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 3 September 2024