Department denies plan to destroy all felines in Victoria Park
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has denied claims it plans to kill all the stray cats in Victoria Park.
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) yesterday accused the department of pursuing a 'trap and kill' policy towards feral cats, an accusation the department said was unfounded.
'The department has never adopted any trap and kill method to solve the stray cat problem,' a spokesman said. 'Cats that have been caught will be placed in the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's animal management centre for observation ... Those that are suitable for re-homing, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will make arrangements through animal welfare organisations.'
Animals not suitable for re-homing would be destroyed.
The SPCA says removing the cats will only encourage other strays to move into the vacated area, where they will breed. They say a better approach is to trap the cats, neuter them and put them back. The cats will keep others out of the area and eventually die off, the society says.
