Children had to hunt and kill cats to win the top prize: a competition in New Zealand was finally canceled after causing an outcry, a decision welcomed on Wednesday by a New Zealand animal welfare body.
The organizers of an annual wild boar and deer hunting competition had caused consternation by announcing the creation of a specific category for children under 14.
To win the first prize – a sum of 250 New Zealand dollars (141 euros) – the children had to hunt feral cats, also called feral cats, domestic cats returned to the wild.
The category, which included a warning for children not to kill pet cats, has been removed, organizers said on Tuesday.
The New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it was “both pleased and relieved that the ‘children’ category of shooting stray cats has been removed.”
“Children, like adults,” are “not able to tell the difference between a feral cat, a stray cat or a fearful domestic cat,” a spokesperson for the animal welfare organization said.
The rest of the competition, organized to raise funds for a school in the country, has also been maintained.
Organizers reported that “despicable and inappropriate emails” were sent “to the school and other people”.
“The safety of our sponsors and the school is our main priority, the decision has been made to withdraw this category this year to avoid further negative reactions,” the organizers wrote on Facebook.
Feral cats are a scourge in New Zealand where they are responsible for dwindling populations of birds, bats, lizards, mice and other insects, according to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, responsible for the preservation of historic heritage and native.