Three more cats attacked by rogue dogs in Ballajura
Ballajura resident Jason Harper was left devastated after the death of his cat, audio thanks to 6PR
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A Perth local council being plagued by a suspected pack of cat-killing dogs is considering laying traps and installing CCTV to catch the canine culprits.
The dogs are believed to be responsible for at least 30 cat deaths in the Ballajura area with 22 of the attacks reported to the City of Swan in the past three months.
Some of the pets that were fatally mauled by dogs in Ballajura.
On Friday, rangers seized three dogs suspected of being involved in the pet deaths but since then, five more attacks have occurred.
City of Swan chief executive Mike Foley said the council was concerned multiple dogs were intentionally being let out at night by their owners to hunt.
With community anger over the council's failure to catch the dogs growing, he revealed on Wednesday the City was consulting with residents to lay traps.
Jason Harper was left devastated after the death of his cat in Ballajura.
"These traps are set with a trip plate mechanism that closes the trap when the dog enters it," he said.
"Animal welfare considerations and schedules for regular monitoring of the traps are required before they can be set."
Mr Foley said the council was also extending ranger patrols and considering utilising mobile CCTV to try and identify the dogs.
Ballajura cat deaths
If any dogs are caught by rangers, under the Dog Act 1976, the council would require a witness identification of the culprit before it could pursue fining the owner or having the dog destroyed.
"A description match is not considered sufficient evidence to hold a dog and owner accountable for an attack," he said.
"The City would require a witness identification of the dog involved in an attack before it could be pursued via a prosecution in the courts.
"A dog may only be put down at the request of the owner or if a Magistrate issues a destruction order on the dog as part of a prosecution."
On Monday, Ballajura resident Natalie Linton said she was forced to put her cat down on Friday after it was attacked by a pair of dogs on Thursday night.
"They're coming up to people's properties, to their front door and they're that good they're sneaking without being heard," she said.
"It's not until you hear rustling in the bushes that you notice something going on and it's too late," she said.
"[My husband] saw the cat being flung around in their jaws."
Her story is similar to dozens of other cat owners in the area who claim their pets have been attacked or killed by a pack of dogs roaming the streets at night.
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