Cats!

[jusdeb]

And again I say they should never have been allowed here ..
Australian birds and mammals are not designed nor accustomed to such a predator ,they have no means of defense .

As much as I would never hurt an animal I could honestly clean kill a cat and not think twice about it .
Very interesting post but nothing I didn't already know and be disgusted by before.

Killing birds is something my dogs get a good kick up the arse for ... yes even the fluffy one . Its just not on .

Just call me kill joy I don't like cats that kill and that doesn't leave very many to like

[venetta]

Most dogs would do the same though, but no one complains about that.

Yes, dogs wouldn't be as stealthy but 'given half the chance' they would try just as well..

[Tiaris]

No dog I've ever had has killed any birds. A few mice, the odd lizard & a rabbit kitten, but no birds. A couple started to chase birds when young & were roused at & never did so again.

[Brooksy]

As tiaris said dogs can be trained not to kill birds & in some cases to protect them. The same cannot be said about cats in general. They are just far too dangerous, their killing instinct is so ingraied, Coupled with there abilities you can't compare cats to dogs.

[TomDeGraaff]

Cats should wear bells - preferably cow bells !!

I don't believe cats should be allowed outside unrestricted. No other "companion" animal is traditionally left to its own devices in the environment. And this species has such an arsenal of weapons: retractable claws, stealth, speed and the bloody horrible desire to practice their art by "playing" with prey and killing for no other reason.
Cat lovers have every right to love and care for their animals but too many take no reponsibility for the ecological crimes of their pets. There is a bounty on foxes and wild dogs (which present their own problem in packs in rural area). I reckon the same should apply to cats.

I would be interested in the law regarding shooting cats and/or disposing of them humanely. I presume there is a difference between suburban and rural areas especially re guns.

[Myzomela]

I don't believe cats should be allowed outside unrestricted. No other "companion" animal is traditionally left to its own devices in the environment. And this species has such an arsenal of weapons: retractable claws, stealth, speed and the bloody horrible desire to practice their art by "playing" with prey and killing for no other reason.
Cat lovers have every right to love and care for their animals but too many take no reponsibility for the ecological crimes of their pets. There is a bounty on foxes and wild dogs (which present their own problem in packs in rural area). I reckon the same should apply to cats.

Perfectly put Uraeginthus. It's just irresponsible pet ownership.

[ruthieharris]

Loved the My Dog the Paradox thats all i gotta say

[E Orix]

I know Cats are great company for many people and I have no issue with that. The issue is that I hear TOO often from people that there cat doesn't roam
and kill things or they only go out for awhile.Absolute garbage,the only correct way to keep a cat is inside and or an outside enclosure.
Its not the cats fault that they kill,cats are preditors and kill.
Cat keepers and people in general have no real idea of the damage the old moggy does.
I knew a professional Fox shooter who's shooting area was the Nullabor Plains,he also had a contract to supply 1000 Tabby Skins per year as well.
Would you believe that he regularly filled his quota on the way to his shooting area.It just shows how many adorable little cats that are around eating our wildlife.
There are a few reasonable cat owners around but far far too many that are not.

[arthur]

Don't laugh too hard as years ago I went to an antique dealers house and they had a patchwork rug on the floo,r which was made from about sixty four obvious cat skins.

Mine is an 'antique person's' house . . and I currently have 59 . .

64 is the number recommended in the now out of print 'Catskin Rug-makers Manual' by the much celebrated author Tom Skinner

[Tintola]

Cats should wear bells - preferably cow bells !!.

I actually prefer church bells, not so that you can hear them coming, but because they aint goin nowheres.