"Don't Roam at Night" Fines Imposed for Violations... Increasing 'Goyangi Curfew' in Australia

Curfew Violations Result in Hundreds of Dollars in Fines
Measures to Protect Wildlife Threatened by Cats

More local governments in Australia are implementing so-called "cat curfews." This is because cats are considered a threat to Australia's wildlife.

On the 14th (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) and the New York Post (NYP) reported that many regions in Australia are introducing laws that prohibit cats from going outside during certain hours or ban letting cats roam freely.

In these areas, if a cat is found outside without its owner or violating curfew hours, a fine of several hundred dollars is imposed. Yarra Ranges, on the outskirts of Melbourne, has issued 22 violation tickets to people who broke these regulations.

NYP introduced the case of Allison Clifton, a teacher living near Adelaide, the capital of South Australia in the south. Clifton starts her day by putting a harness on her pet cat "Moriarty" and taking him for a walk every morning.

Clifton said, "People might find it strange to walk a cat, but I have no choice." Moriarty loves outdoor activities so much that he refuses to eat if he doesn't get a walk. However, in the area where Clifton lives, it is illegal for pet cats to be outside without their owners between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m.

The reason for the cat curfew is that cats threaten Australia's wild ecosystem. In fact, it is estimated that billions of mammals and birds, including native marsupials such as bilbies and numbat anteaters, are killed every year in Australia due to cat attacks.

Some oppose the cat curfew, arguing that it is an inhumane policy. Some experts point out, "Dogs have dog parks, but cats do not have such public spaces." There are also criticisms that the ban is unfair, saying, "Cats are not the only ones killing small creatures."

However, since there is also an opinion that cats can live longer if kept indoors, most cat lovers seem to accept and comply with the regulations. Clifton supported the curfew, saying, "You can't just tell a cat to come inside when it gets dark," and that the curfew can prevent cats from getting lost or hit by cars when outside.

Also, since putting a harness on a cat is not easy, it is known that more households are installing fences to allow outdoor activities in their yards. A company that makes specialized cat fences said, "Every time the cat curfew law is passed, we get a flood of orders."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.