Nation's First Stray Cat Ordinance Sparks Internet Debate, Ultimately Fails Due to "Concerns Over Social Conflict"
Cheonan City Council Proposes Nation's First Stray Cat Ordinance
Over 2,000 Support and Oppose Comments Stir Online Debate
"Will Reconsider If Social Consensus Is Reached"
The long-awaited stray cat ordinance, which had attracted nationwide attention, was ultimately shelved. On the 14th, the Cheonan City Council's Economic and Industrial Committee announced that it had decided to hold off on the 'Cheonan City Stray Cat Protection and Management Ordinance.'
The ordinance was promoted with the intention that local governments establish a management and protection plan for stray cat populations every three years to create an environment where citizens and stray cats coexist. The key provisions included ▲ implementation of neutering surgery projects ▲ installation of ecological corridors for stray cats ▲ prevention of illegal capture and slaughter ▲ protection of kitten cats ▲ installation of public feeding stations for stray cats. It was the first stray cat ordinance to be promoted by a local government.
As the ordinance was announced for legislative notice, the internet was set ablaze. About 2,000 opinions for and against were evenly matched. While some argued that the stray cat ordinance would actually help by reducing the population, others strongly opposed it, claiming it would increase damage by aiding reproduction. On the 14th, the Cheonan City Council switched the deliberation meeting to a closed session and, after a three-hour 'marathon debate,' decided to hold off on the ordinance.
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Kim Cheol-hwan, chairman of the Economic and Industrial Committee, said, "There was a common view among the council members that reaching a conclusion in the current sharply divided situation could lead to greater social conflict," adding, "We decided to hold off on the ordinance and revisit the discussion once social consensus and the central government's 'Stray Cat Care and Neutering Guidelines' are established."
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