Australian wildlife and responsible cat ownership

PETITION To the Honourable the Members of the House of Assembly in Parliament assembled – The Petition of the undersigned residents of South Australia. Arguement We draw the attention of the Honourable House Members with regards to the plight of our native wildlife species including blue tongue lizards. This is a Petition for the enforcement of legislation in relation to the protection of Blue Tongue Lizards and other Protected Wildlife species In South Australia when it is established that they have been killed or molested by Cats. Request In order to assist in the enforcement of the existing Act the petitioners here in request that Owners of all cats are held responsible for ensuring their cat does not Kill or molest protected species. To this end this Petition asks for the following. Enforcement of a night time curfew for all cats; and that The State Government take responsibility for the development of a registration scheme in conjunction with Local Councils such that all cats are required to be registered in the same way that dogs are. Owners of cats whose are found to have molested protected animals as defined should be subject to the full force of the Wildlife protection act SA, Petition for the Enforcement of the Act 68—Molestation etc of protected animals (1) A person must not— (a) interfere with, harass or molest, or cause or permit the interference with, harassment or molestation of, a protected animal; or (b) undertake or continue an act or activity that is, or is likely to be, detrimental to the welfare of a protected animal after being directed by a warden not to undertake, or to stop, that act or activity; or (c) undertake or continue an act or activity in relation to a protected animal that is contrary to regulations promulgated under this section, unless he or she acts in pursuance of this Act or a permit granted by the Minister under this section or another provision of this Act or in pursuance of some other Act or statutory instrument. Maximum penalty: In the case of a marine mammal—$100 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972—21.2.2008 Part 5—Conservation of native animals Division 6—General provisions 16 This version is not published under the Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002 [16.6.2011] In the case of an animal (not being a marine mammal) of an endangered species— $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years. In the case of an animal (not being a marine mammal) of a vulnerable species— $7 500 or imprisonment for 18 months. In the case of an animal (not being a marine mammal) of a rare species—$5 000 or imprisonment for 12 months. In any other case—$2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months. (2) The Minister may grant a permit to a person to undertake an act or activity that would otherwise contravene paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (1). (3) It is a defence to a charge of an offence The registration scheme would enable better enforcement of the above legislation. ON PRESENTATION TO THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY THIS PETITION WILL BECOME A PUBLIC DOCUMENT