John Swinney says his administration will not restrict pet ownership, despite Scottish Government considering measure

The report advised the Scottish Government that domestic cats should be subject to restrictions in some areas.

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The SNP has considered a ban on owning cats amid concerns for local wildlife. An animal welfare body employed to advise Scotland’s government has said pet cats are decimating populations of local mammals and birds. Cats are believed to kill around 250,000 bats and a whopping 27 million birds in the UK each year.

The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) has recommended a ban on cats in Scotland as well as the introduction of curfews and leads for the animals

The first minister rules out the idea after experts suggest ways to reduce the impact domestic cats have on wildlife.

Scotland is not planning to ban cats, the leader of the devolved government insisted Monday, after welfare experts gave ministers pause for thought in a new report.