CCTV catches the horrifying moment a council employee allegedly lures a cat from its owner’s front yard and attempts to impound it before the owner realizes what’s happening.
A council employee was allegedly observed luring a cat so she could impound it.
The property was visited by an animal control officer due to the couple’s several dogs.
The six dogs and two cats of the owners assisted an old woman with her health concerns.
Toowoomba Regional Council is investigating the issue today.
A council employee has been apprehended for reportedly enticing a cat from its owner’s front yard before attempting to impound it, as a dispute between pet owners and the local council reached its climax.
CCTV footage purportedly captured the weird moment a Toowoomba Regional Council employee in Queensland lured a cat to the end of a home’s driveway before grabbing it and fleeing in her vehicle.
Steven and Julie Stephens of Westbrook have been accused by the council of attempting to circumvent a restriction that mandates cats to remain on private property.
The Stephens have six dachshunds – which they breed – and two cats, which, according to the council, is an excessive number of animals for the type of home they live in.
Mr. Stephens, however, asserts that his wife, who suffers from serious mental health disorders as a result of a severe vehicle accident, requires the company of the dogs in order to feel at ease.
Mr. Stephens told the local newspaper The Chronicle, “It may seem odd to you or me, but she needs those animals.”
A few years ago, she was involved in a horrific vehicle accident, her then-partner died, she received a metal plate in her head, and she now suffers from extreme melancholy and anxiety.
CCTV footage purportedly captured a city employee luring a cat onto the street so she could throw it in the pound (pictured)
He stated that a council animal control officer visited their residence on Tuesday to inform them that the council would be seizing at least six of their animals since the quantity of dogs on the property violated municipal ordinances.
Mr. Stephens admitted the dog issue, but insisted he was unable to relinquish any.
Ms. Stephens had to leave the house in order to calm herself after the animal control officer notified the couple that she must remove several of their pets.
While Ms. Stephens was out of the house, the animal control officer allegedly coaxed the cat along the path to her vehicle as she departed the Stephens’ residence.
The video has gone viral on social media, but the clip (seen) is only a small portion of a heartbreaking family narrative and a protracted conflict with the city council.
The cop could then be seen picking up the pet cat through the CCTV cameras.
Phoebe was fortunate that Mr. Stephens was observing the camera at the moment.
He made a heroic dash to Phoebe’s aid, and the council employee returned the cat with respect, he claimed.
He alleges the worker threatened to return and charged him $280 for letting his cat to wander free.
The chief executive officer of Toowoomba Regional Council, Brian Pidgeon, told the Daily Mail Australia that council staff must not only monitor compliance with animal management rules, but also comply with job-related standards, and that the council is investigating the incident.
“According to Section 113 of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act of 2008, an authorized person may enter a location to monitor compliance with the requirements of Section 14 (Owner must ensure cat or dog is implanted) and Section 44 (Registration requirement),” he explained.
“Council workers are also required to comply with all applicable provisions of this Act, the Local Government Act of 2009, and the Council’s Code of Conduct.
“According to Queensland government legislation, all cats must be microchipped.” By law, no cat or dog may roam free, and residents must always confine their pets to their property.
‘The number of cats you may keep depends on a variety of factors, including the size of your property, the availability of suitable enclosures and supervision, the possibility of becoming a nuisance to your neighbors, the attractiveness of your neighborhood, and other factors.
In general, two cats are permitted on properties smaller than 450 square meters, and three cats are permitted on properties larger than 451 square meters.