LONDON -- The Scottish government wants everyone to know it does not plan to ban cats. First Minister John Swinney was forced to issue the statement after a report by independent experts branded felines a threat to Scotland’s wildlife and suggested “containment” measures be considered to reduce the damage.

The country's first minister was forced to issue the statement after a report branded felines a threat to Scotland’s wildlife and suggested “containment” measures be considered.

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.

ScotRail have seemingly poked fun at the Scottish Government following rumours that ministers were planning to ban cats in the country. It comes after the Glasgow Times revealed that John Swinney completely rejected reports put forward from the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) – a group of independent experts – which recommended the government look at potentially instituting containment areas for cats to protect local wildlife.