Local Nhill Cat Catches 12 Brown Snakes in one season
NHILL — A local family is wondering what to do with their rescue cat, Catatastophy.
For the 2025/6 summer season Catatastophy has caught and killed no less than 12 brown snakes over the three month period from the Shiells household to strangely make an achievement of sorts for the number of brown snakes caught by a cat without being mortally bitten. Calvin Shiells is now worried about what the future holds for his thrill-seeking cat "Catatastophy" and is seeking help from the Nhill council on curbing local snake populations.
Calvin and Catatastophy have lived in the house on the outskirts of Nhill, which is on the Western side of Victoria, about four hours from Melbourne since the turn of the millenium. Despite snake-proofing his backyard with ultrasonic repellers and chicken wire, Catatastophy just keeps finding them and killing them.
Local wildlife expert Engelbert McMahon said it is illegal for humans to kill snakes as they are a protected species, but cats don't always listen to what their owners tell them. "While cats are required to be inside at night, there is nothing saying they cannot be outside in their backyard during the day".
As for Catatastophy, he has been sternly told to leave snakes where they are and focus on his bowl of premium salmon treats instead. Hopefully he listens this time. Calvin is currently working with the Nhill council on snake mitigation options for the neighbourhood.