Lots of on social media monitor the whereabouts of a Christchurch girl dubbed the ‘dangerous cat feeder’

A Christchurch girl who feeds native cats in her space is being carefully monitored by a Facebook group devoted to monitoring her.

The group have dubbed her the “harmful cat feeder” on Facebook and have near 400 members, some who declare the girl is poisoning native cats.

The girl – who Stuff have chosen to not identify for security causes – has denied the claims, saying she has permission to feed the cats from the house owners.

The group of ‘frustrated and concerned’ residents of Papanui, Bryndwr, Burnside and Bishopdale use the devoted Facebook group to trace the girl’s whereabouts, and likewise publish pictures and movies whereas she is out feeding the cats.

The group presently boasts 400 members.

They declare the girl is making their cats sick and have even accused her of killing their feline pals by creating, what they are saying, is a meals mix of a thriller brown liquid combined with cat biscuits. A declare she denies.

They say she smears the substance on ivy leaves, lids and mail and locations meals alongside fence traces, at native parks, bushes and personal gardens.

For one resident, Kate, the problem started in the summertime of 2022, when she discovered the girl standing on her fence attractive Kate’s cat over it.

“I was friendly with her at first, but one time I noticed she was sitting in a bush feeding my cat and I said something. I just want it to stop. There are even threatening letters in the letterbox from her.

“There have now been a dozen people saying their cats died, or they’ve ingested something and people are spending more than $2,000 on vet bills,” Kate stated.

The feeder instructed Stuff that she had been given permission from the residents of the properties the place she was seen.

Since the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 the girl has been feeding ‘homeless’ cats within the neighbourhood.

“I was out on a morning run and I encountered an elderly gentleman doing it. We got talking, and I started doing it with him. When he got too old to do it, I carried on.”

Since then, the girl has accomplished her ordinary rounds most days, assembly cats in sure locations that she described as “our spots”.

When requested concerning the complaints from residents within the space, the girl didn’t know “who these people are and where their cats are.”

“I’m not the only one doing it. People’s ‘belief’ that I am the only one in the area feeding is both ignorant and arrogant.”

A dispute is presently earlier than the courts involving the cat feeder being on a property relating to the problem.

A trial by jury date has been set at Christchurch District Court in December.

Papanui Ward councillor Victoria Henstock had been made conscious of the “difficult situation” and understood it to be “causing some distress in the community”.

“Staff from our council community partnerships and compliance teams are in contact with the cat feeder and are working with other agencies to manage the issue.

She hoped that people would exercise some tolerance “as we work towards a solution” and “be mindful of the health and wellbeing of all involved”.

”I’m completely satisfied to facilitate a gathering with all companies concerned and anxious members of the general public if it could assist,” she stated.

Residents have continued to report the feeder to police and provide proof however are awaiting motion. Due to the state of affairs being ‘active’ police have been restricted in what they may share with Stuff.

“What we can say is we are actively working with this person and their family to resolve this situation,” a police spokeswoman stated.

Police understood the neighborhood’s frustrations and regardless of there being no prison offences, suggested pet house owners to “follow local authorities’ advice around knowing where your animal is while we work through this situation” and report something they discovered regarding.