Cayman’s controversial feral cat culling programme is not currently subject to any court-ordered halt and can continue while a legal challenge works its way through the courts, according to officials.
At a meeting of the National Conservation Council on Wednesday, 25 March, Secretary John Bothwell confirmed that a judicial review filed by animal welfare group Feline Friends has not yet reached the stage where any injunction or restriction has been imposed.
“As of right now, it is just an application for leave for judicial review. So there is no injunction against any DoE activities,” he told council members. “Any activities will still continue as normal.”
The clarification comes amid growing public attention on the case, which challenges the legality of the Department of Environment’s culling of feral cats across the islands.
Feline Friends has alleged in court filings that cats have been shot, trapped and euthanised without lawful authority and in breach of a 2023 Grand Court order that stayed parts of the National Conservation regulations.
In April 2023, Justice Marlene Carter granted Feline Friends permission to pursue a judicial review, temporarily suspending the part of the National Conservation Act that allows for the control of invasive species.
According to the latest filing, discussions followed that ruling, with an understanding that Cabinet might consider legislative changes to resolve the dispute. Feline Friends says it believed the suspension remained in place during that period.
The charity claims it only realised culling had continued after seeing posts on social media, and later obtained more detailed information on the scale and methods used through freedom of information requests.
The current application represents only the first procedural step in the judicial review process. A judge must first determine whether the case is arguable before it proceeds to a full hearing.
Until then, there is no automatic pause on government action.
Operations continue, but limited for now
Despite the absence of a legal restriction, officials indicated that culling activity is not currently widespread.
Bothwell noted that “many of our main culling programmes are not active right now”, adding that Little Cayman, a key site for conservation efforts, is not scheduled for any culls in the immediate future.
“There is a period here where we’re just trying to get it resolved,” he said.
At the same time, he signalled that the Department of Environment is seeking clarity from the courts quickly and intends to continue its work once the legal position is settled.
“I know the DoE is looking to be able to continue activities once it’s resolved,” he added.
Council members also clarified that if the application proceeds, it would apply across all three Cayman Islands but only to the control of feral cats – not to other invasive species programmes.
Legal battle centres on authority and methods
In its court filing, Feline Friends argues that there is no lawful basis for the current culling methods, particularly the use of firearms and traps, and that these may breach provisions of the Animals Act and other laws.
The group is seeking permission to proceed to a full judicial review and, if successful, a declaration that the programme is unlawful, along with an injunction to halt further culling.
It also raises constitutional concerns, including the alleged destruction of owned animals and interference with property rights.
Government agencies have not yet filed a formal response in the proceedings. However, Department of Environment officials have previously maintained that the government body “remains committed to its responsibility to conserve native species and to employing evidence-based, legally permitted measures to achieve this”.
The Council is being represented by the Government Legal Department and the Solicitor General’s Office within the Attorney General’s Chambers, acting on behalf of both the Department of Environment and the Council.
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So the DOE thinks culling is more humane than the catch & spay programme? Think of all the cats that have been shot and not killed instantly, many who run away and end up dying in pain, hours or days later. They think this is a better idea? That’s discusting,cruel and unacceptable.
Sandra L. is totally correct. Slaughtering animals because the “Officials” are too lazy to do the right and humane thing, which is to neuter/spay the cats, dogs as well. Government is responsible for the inordinate amount of feral cats on Cayman, that has now become a serious problem. When you sit back, and do nothing except kill, that speaks volumes for your ineptitude. Dept of Ag. also kills animals, because its the cruel and lazy way out. Cayman can do so much better, I think.
Now the chickens are going. Do you all have a penchant for killing. This has to bother someone out there. Speak up, and support humane answers to these problems