Bizarre cat-killing contest for kids scrapped after backlash from animal welfare groups

New Zealand's North Canterbury Hunting Contest cat hunting competition has been scrapped after organizers came under fire from protection groups animals

New Zealand's North Canterbury Hunting Competition cat hunting competition has been discontinued (

Image: Getty Images/EyeEm)

A cat-killing contest for children has been scrapped after a backlash from animal welfare groups.

Organizers of a bizarre annual hunt in North Canterbury, New Zealand, have been slammed after adding the new youth category in which participants shoot feral cats.

Animals are considered pests in the country.

Children were told not to target pets, but were encouraged to pursue strays for a price of NZ$250 (£124; $155).

The event was immediately condemned by activists.

Yesterday, the New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it was relieved that the children's category which 'involved shooting feral cats' had been stopped.

Goose Bay in Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand (

Picture:

Getty Images)

A representative argued that attendees, regardless of age, would struggle to tell the difference between "a feral, stray or frightened domestic cat", according to AFP news agency.

There had been fears that the pets were 'caught in the crossfire,' said a former sponsor of the hunt.

The event had been announced as part of a fundraiser in June for a local school in the town on the country's South Island.

Competition usually sees hundreds of people - including children - compete to kill wild pigs, deer and hares.

Organizers announced the cancellation of the feline event on Tuesday, saying they had received "despicable and inappropriate emails".