After a three-month curfew to protect an endangered bird species, cats are now allowed to roam freely again in Walldorf, Baden-Württemberg. This means that the nationwide unique measure in the Rhein-Neckar district ends two weeks earlier than planned. This was announced by the district office of the Rhein-Neckar district in a press release. Thanks to the weather conditions, the young crested larks, which are threatened with extinction, have developed so far that there is no longer any risk for them, the authority justified the step. That’s why free-roaming cats are now allowed outside the door again.
At the same time, the authority made it clear that the original general decree was not rescinded with the current partial change. “It will continue to apply until 2025 – in the period from April 1st to August 31st inclusive,” confirmed the office, to which some cat owners had lodged an objection. A fine of 500 euros had been imposed on a holder. According to the office, his animal had been observed hunting near the breeding area of the birds in the south of the village.
The order came into force at very short notice in mid-May and caused a nationwide sensation. The district office justifies the free range ban by pointing to only 60 breeding areas in the country. The cats pose a considerable danger to the ground breeders, who also only look for food on the ground. In Walldorf-Süd there were only three breeding pairs last year. Animal rights activists, on the other hand, drew attention to the predicament of the cats, who were used to being outdoors. esm/dpa