Australian Govt Writes To Morrissey Defending Decision To Kill Two Million Feral Cats

The Australian government has written a letter to UK singer Morrissey defending their decision to kill two million feral cats after the artist recently blasted the cull as 'ídiocy'. 

In late August, the government announced a five year plan to cull the animals in a bid to protect Australian wildlife, however Morrissey offered his two cents on the topic by slamming the decision and described the government as a "committee of sheep-farmers who have zero concerns about animal welfare or animal respect".

As The Guardian reports, threatened species commissioner Gregory Andrews has formally responded to the former The Smiths frontman, as well as French model and actress Brigitte Bardot who also contested the call.

Andrews noted that feral cats are responsible for the extinction of a number of Australian mammals, including the lesser bilby and desert bandicoot. 

"We don’t want to lose any more species like these," Andrews wrote.

"It is with this sentiment in mind that the Australian government has taken a stance on feral cats; for the protection of our native species that belong here."

There is a rough estimate of 20 million feral cats in Australia that each kill at least five animals a day. 

The government hope to reduce this number to two million by 2020 trapping, shooting and poison bait. 

Speaking to The Guardian shortly after Andrews said, "The threat to our wildlife are clear and feral cats are top of the list. We don’t hate cats but we don’t have a choice. We will do this as humanely as possible and we will reduce the net suffering of animals in Australia."

"Australians support this. Brigitte Bardot and Morrissey have a lack of understanding of Australia and what we are losing. They aren’t Australians, they aren’t experiencing the extinction crisis we have here.”