Queensland 2010-02-02

Cats have taken on an improved status in a small country town of Julia Creek.

The early rain has brought rats in search of food to the Julia Creek area near Winton Queensland. This has caused the McKinlay Shire Council in the north-west of Queensland to place a moratorium on its cat bounty.  The Mayor of Winton, Ed Warren was quoted as saying that the rats started to breed during the floods in 2009 and are now venturing towards the town due to the heavy rains being experienced in the north.

This new unexpected need for cats has put an end to the $15 feral cat bounty previously put in place by the council.  The rats are invading produce and grocery stores, homes and other businesses and far outnumber the town’s 500 residents! Until the rats are gone, turning up at the Council office with a cat scalp will not bring the bearer a cent.