Ban cat flaps to protect Britain’s birds, says Tory ex-minister

Cat flaps should be banned to help preserve the UK’s declining number of garden birds, according to a Conservative former minister.

Lord Blencathra said there was “no justification whatsoever” for cat owners to take a “laissez-faire attitude” by letting their pet “go in and out when it pleases”.

He also backed calls for outdoor cats to be required to wear collars and bells, as he pointed to research suggesting this helped reduce the number of birds killed by felines.

Lord Blencathra’s cat-flap ban suggestion came as peers supported a proposed law to create new offences of cat and dog abduction in England and Northern Ireland.

Animals are regarded as property under existing theft legislation, with campaigners arguing for the emotional value of pets to be recognised, as well as the distress caused if they are stolen.

The Bill would make it an offence to take a cat or dog from the lawful control of another person, with offenders facing a maximum prison sentence of five years.

It moved closer to becoming law after receiving an unopposed second reading in the Lords, having previously cleared the House of Commons.

Backing for bells

Lord Blencathra offered his “full support” to the Bill before backing remarks made by Tony Juniper, chairman of Natural England, for cats to wear bells.

He told peers: “All independent studies suggest that cats allowed out to wander will kill about 260 million mammals per annum in the UK and 60 million garden birds.

“Of course there are other predators killing animals and birds, as the letters in The Telegraph this week have pointed out, but the contribution from roaming cats is massive and unnecessary.

“Studies by three UK scientists, and published in the Applied Animal Behaviour Science journal, show that in the UK cats with bells killed 34 per cent fewer mammals and 41 per cent fewer birds.

“We need every measure we can to preserve our declining garden birds.

“So I would make collars and bells compulsory for cats let outside. But I would go further, my Lords, and I’d ban cat flaps completely.”

Lord Blencathra said animal welfare organisations had suggested cats should only be let out after the sun has risen or before it sets to avoid them targeting birds when they are feeding.

He added: “There’s no justification whatsoever for cat owners taking a laissez-faire attitude and letting a cat go in and out when it pleases.

“Don’t call yourself a cat lover if you have no idea where your cat goes at night, where it can be attacked, run over, catch fleas, diseases and kill precious wildlife.”

‘Not a very prolific killer’

Baroness Hayman of Ullock, shadow environment spokeswoman, offered Labour’s support to the Bill and noted she was “interested” to hear Lord Blencathra’s suggestions on cats.

Lady Hayman said she wanted to “stand up” for her own cat, joking he is “not a very prolific killer” and is “rather frightened” of birds following an “encounter” with a hen.

Lord Douglas-Miller, environment minister, said: “The Government strongly supports this Bill. It represents another important step in our progress on animal welfare.”