John Swinney pressured to disclaim he plans to ban cat possession in Scotland | EUROtoday
Scotland’s first minister has been pressured to knock down studies that the federal government is contemplating banning cats.
John Swinney needed to situation a press release over the matter after a report from impartial specialists branded cats as a risk to Scotland’s wildlife.
It instructed the federal government take drastic measures together with preserving cats locked inside – and even banning possession altogether.
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) additionally instructed organising ‘cat containment areas’ – designated components of the nation the place obligatory restrictions may very well be put in place to stop pet cats from roaming and searching.
The suggestions sparked criticism from cat advocates, who mentioned the measures might trigger misery for among the nation’s 840,000 pet cats.
But chatting with broadcasters on Monday, Mr Swinney rejected the claims that the federal government would introduce an efficient ban on proudly owning cats.
“There’s a report being produced by an external organisation which has come in to the Government for consideration,” he mentioned.
“Let me just clear this up today – the Government’s not going to be banning cats or restricting cats.
“We’ve no intention of doing so and we will not be doing it.”

The SAWC estimated that home cats kill 27 million birds within the UK every year. It suggested the federal government to think about a spread of measures, together with preserving home cats indoors or on leashes, to guard endangered species corresponding to Scottish wildcats.
The report mentioned “cat containment” measures might additionally embrace “restrictions on introducing cats to households in vulnerable areas” -– interpreted by some as effectively a ban.
The use of compulsory cat containment zones within the report – one of five options aimed at controlling the cat population – could also include a mandate for owners to keep their pets inside, but the commission also questions the impact on the cats themselves of being stuck indoors.
The Scottish government said it would “fully consider” the suggestions.
But Alice Palombo, Cats Protection Advocacy & Government Relations Officer for Scotland mentioned that cats want to have the ability to “perform natural cat-like behaviours” in the event that they’re to dwell comfortable, wholesome lives.
She mentioned: “Cats are very different from dogs and most will dislike being taken out on a lead. Cats do not like being restrained, especially for long periods of time, so wearing a harness will likely be stressful for them.”
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/john-swinney-cat-ownership-ban-scotland-deny-b2692497.html