§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what powers are available to local authorities to deal with wild cats which constitute a public health hazard.
§ Mr. MarksIn general, responsibility for the control of wild or stray cats rests with the owner or occupier of the land concerned, but local authorities may deal with them, subject to the provisions of the Criminal Damage Act 1971, within 205W their discretionary power to incur expenditure in the interests of any of their inhabitants.
In the event of an outbreak of rabies, authorities would have power under the Rabies (Control) Order 1974 to seize, detain and, after three days, destroy all cats and other prescribed animals left uncontrolled within an area declared infected.
If cats stray because of defective premises and create a nuisance, authorities may act against the person responsible under Part III of the Public Health Act 1936.