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The competition would be part of an annual event in the Canterbury region. Every year, hundreds of children and adults take part in a hunting contest where wild boars, stags and hares are hunted.
Feral cats are a scourge in the country. They are estimated to kill over a million native birds and tens of millions of non-native birds every year.
This is why the organization decided to let the participating children hunt the cats as well. They could win a cash prize of 250 New Zealand dollars (about 140 euros).
Animal welfare organizations have condemned the contest, which was due to take place in June, just after the announcement. The organization behind her received “annoying and inappropriate emails”, a spokesperson told the news agency. AFP.
“It could have been a controlled slaughter”
It is not known who sent the emails. New Zealand animal welfare organization SPCA is relieved that the ‘children’s category where feral cats would be culled’ has been cancelled. According to the organization, participants cannot distinguish between feral, frightened and domestic cats.
But not everyone is happy about the cancellation of the cat hunting contest. More than a hundred people defended the event in response to a Facebook post from the organization.
They felt that the hunt could have been a “controlled cull”. “If only people knew the damage feral cats are doing in the neighborhood,” said a Canterbury resident.
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