In a move sparking debate, a Perth council has enacted a contentious cat regulation, setting limits on how many cats a household can have and imposing a $300 fine for violations. This has led to concerns among some residents who see it as an instance of “overreach.”

The City of Melville has banned cats from 64 specific reserves and parks that are vital habitats for native plants and wildlife. These areas include Tompkins Park, Goolugatup Heathcote Reserve, Alfred Cove Nature Reserve, and Centennial Park.

Cat owners whose pets are found in these restricted zones will face fines of $300.

The council’s decision to implement this measure was made in July. They acknowledged that previous legislation did not grant them the authority to enforce stricter measures that the community had been requesting. The new law officially took effect on Saturday.

Some locals have expressed their dismay over the new regulations, taking to social media to voice their frustrations.

“It’s disappointing to see limits on the number of pets people can own, especially when so many animals are languishing in shelters,” one resident commented.

“Why only two cats when you have a fully cat-proofed yard? That’s ridiculous. It should not matter how many cats you have on your property,” another said.

”Prejudiced towards cats. I’ve seen dogs attack birds too. But, let’s blame cats,” a third said.

“The overreach is getting out of control. Stay out of people’s lives,” a fourth said.