A "STUPID" situation is limiting Albury Council's ability to combat cats on the loose, a former city mayor says.
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Henk van de Ven criticised NSW law during discussion of a draft companion animals strategy which will be on the agenda at next Monday's council meeting.
He asked council service leader Kate de Hennin at a briefing on Monday night about compliance measures for the city's cat curfew for new estates.
She said there had been strong feedback on the problem of feral and pet cats but the council was "hamstrung" by state laws.
"Local policy can't be more onerous than the act, so we can't come in stronger than what's there in the NSW legislation," Ms de Hennin said.
"We can't introduce new laws or by-laws or anything that is actually higher than the act."
She said more than 100 cat traps had been distributed to nab felines with pets returned to owners with a message to be more responsible.
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"It seems stupid to me, we want to be very strong in this space to protect our fauna, but the NSW government legislation doesn't allow us to be as prescriptive as what we would perhaps like to be," Cr van de Ven said.
Council officials have called on the NSW government in the past six months to expand containment and exclusion measures for cats across Albury.
Cr van de Ven called for a further push through the NSW Local Government Association, with mayor Kevin Mack noting the issue had stirred debate among Sydney councils with significant wildlife corridors.
Councillor Alice Glachan raised concerns about owners who repeatedly do not clean up their dogs' faeces or have their canine off-leash.
Ms de Hennin said rangers are not able to compel an owner to provide their name and address.
Cr van de Ven said it was a "real problem" for the city if people did not have to give proper details if the council was looking to fine them for breaches.
