In the country where feral cats, domestic animals that have become feral, are a scourge on New Zealand wildlife, an organization has decided to set up a feline hunting competition open to children under 14 years old. A more than surprising decision, in particular for animal rights associations and residents who did not hesitate to speak up to stop this initiative. Organizers eventually canceled the event following the outcry. However, the other competitions of the competition are maintained.
Initially, this competition was to take place until the end of June. The objective for the youngsters was to hunt and kill cats in order to win the first prize: a check worth 250 New Zealand dollars, or approximately 141 euros. This same winner can expect to win a second prize worth 2,601 euros.
The New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it was “both pleased and relieved that the children’s category of shooting stray cats has been removed,” according to Agence France-Presse. For the association, it is not the idea of ??seeing children killed by animals that posed a problem. But the greater the danger to feline owners, as youngsters and adults “are not able to tell the difference between a feral cat, a stray cat, or a fearful domestic cat,” says a spokesperson for the charity. animal protection.
Advocacy organizations want to entrust the eradication mission to experienced people, who use humane and approved methods to reduce the number of stray felines.
