An annual hunting competition in New Zealand has been cancelled after coming under severe criticism when they introduced a new category for children aged 14 and under to hunt feral cats.
The event has been held for several years, but the children’s cat-hunting category was new for 2023.
Feral cats in New Zealand are considered a pest and a threat to the country’s biosecurity.
The competition organizers instructed children not to hunt and kill pets but encouraged them to kill as many feral cats as possible to win a prize of NZ$250 (£124; $155).
Animal welfare groups were quick to condemn the competition, arguing that it posed a significant risk to pet cats.
On Tuesday 18th April 2023, the New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals expressed relief that the children’s category involving the shooting of feral cats would not take place.
A spokesperson for the organisation argued that both children and adults would have difficulty distinguishing between different types of cats, which could lead to the unintentional killing of pets.
The cancelled cat-hunting competition was announced as part of a June fundraiser for a local school in North Canterbury, a predominantly rural region of New Zealand where hunting is a popular activity.
Each year, the annual hunting competition sees hundreds of participants, including children, compete to kill wild pigs, deer, and hares.
