Cat curfew Down Under: Australia orders moggies be kept indoors to stop them wiping out native species – with 27 animals already driven to extinction

Strict cat curfews have been introduced across Australia in a bid to stop them driving other animals to extinction.

The drastic move has seen owners face restrictions such as a limit on the number of cats per household and the rule that owners must keep the pets on a lead to leave the property.

Councils also have the power to introduce full cat lockdowns across many of the states.

Strict cat curfews have been introduced across Australia

Strict cat curfews have been introduced across Australia

Australia is home to five million domestic cats as well as three million strays. They have wiped out 27 native animals, from the pig-footed bandicoot to the desert kangaroo rat.

Western Australia and New South Wales – the states where there are no provisions – are under pressure to fall into line, according to the Sunday Times.

MP Emma Hurst believes compulsory cat containment laws represent a ‘death sentence’ for many who escape.

Pet cats kill 390 million animals, reptiles and birds a year.