Global Courant 2023-04-19 19:28:04
WELLINGTON – A competition in New Zealand for children to hunt and kill feral cats has been scrapped following public outcry, with a major animal welfare organization welcoming the decision on Wednesday.
Organizers of an annual hunting competition caused a stir when they announced a new category for children under 14 to hunt wild cats for a grand prize of NZ$250 (S$207).
The category, which warned young people not to kill pets, has been dropped, organizers said in a statement Tuesday.
The New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it was “both pleased and relieved that the category of children, in which feral cats were shot, has been removed”.
“Children, like adults, will not be able to tell the difference between a feral, stray cat or a frightened domestic cat,” said an SPCA spokesperson.
The overall competition, which continues with other wild boar and deer hunting categories, is being held as a fundraiser by Rotherham School in the country’s South Island.
The organizers said “vile and inappropriate emails” had been sent “to the school and others involved”.
“Our sponsors and school safety are our number one priority, so it has been decided to withdraw this category for this year to avoid further backlash,” the organizers wrote on Facebook.
Feral cats are a nuisance in New Zealand, where they have a major impact on native birds, bats, lizards, mice and insects, according to the Department of Conservation. AFP
