Bad news for kiddie cat-haters in New Zealand…A children’s cat-hunting competition has been canceled due to controversy over the event. Organizers of an annual hunt are facing major backlash after they announced there would be a new division – hunters of feral cats, 14 and under. Though they were warned to leave pets alone, kids were encouraged to eliminate feral felines as they’re considered so much of a pest, that they’re a threat to the environment. Then in June, the winner of the most killed cats would receive the equivalent of $155.

However, even though the North Canterbury Hunting Competition organizers pulled the competition, they did not regret the idea. Leaders said on Facebook, “We are disappointed and apologize to those who were excited to be involved in something that is about protecting our native birds, and other vulnerable species.”

Source: BBC