Dogs and cats - Why is it ok for cats to kill things for fun?

[PurpleChicken]

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I disagree. Just from reading the many posts here about dogs killing things it's obvious there is a double standard with dogs versus cats. I for one do have a problem with any non native animal killing native ones.

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Please keep in mind this thread isn't about predators in general. Any predator that would kill our livestock or harm people is a serious threat. Yes, dogs do have the potential of doing more damage. Of that there is no doubt. In rural settings wild roaming dogs are a problem. In suburban settings like mine there are very few roaming dogs and most are just neighbors dogs that broke off their leashes.

Trust me, if I shot a cat in my front yard a LOT of people would be screaming. In fact here in CT it's illegal to do so.

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Many would disagree with you there but at least you're honest enough to admit it. If a neighbors cat hung out here and killed the mice and rats that like to make homes under my barn I'd consider it a favor. If the same cat tried to slaughter families of wild birds my reaction would be different.

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I don't quite understand that. It's much easier for cats to survive on their own and reproduce but ultimately most unwanted dogs or cats can be traced back to human irresponsibility.

You don't sound like the problem here, actually more of the solution. If you have outdoor cats that you spay or neuter, take care of, and house on or in your property than you are helping the situation.

 

[Ibicella]

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Got no argument from me here on this one. I don't think an uncontrolled cat is any better than an uncontrolled dog, though I'm far less worried about a cat destroying an entire coop full of chickens.

 

[PurpleChicken]

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That had to be one heck of a dog just to catch a stray cat. In my opinion the dog was doing his job by attacking the cats and raccoons. If it got out and killed an animal on someone else's property that would be different.

When my dog is outside on his run he serves as a deterrent to predators but I highly doubt he could catch a cat or know what to do with one if he caught it.

That dog was a pit bull my fiance found in the woods and took in. I would not have had a problem with it killing stray cats and raccoons either, but it was showing agression towards me, my son, our company and even my fiance, whom the dog worshiped. As of last night the dog attacked my fiance, and it is now no longer with us.

Sorry to hear that. Pits are wonderful dogs but also capable of doing a lot of damage. Once most dogs taste blood it's all over.

 

[Camelot Farms]

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We have a Lionhead bunny in the run with the girls during the day...He likes to bowl too!

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

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I haven't either.

As with dogs, in my honest opinion, when you decide to become a pet owner, you become responsible for the actions of your pet. Cats shouldn't be excused either. Though my cats would definitely be perplexed by this line of thought, but would probably think it best to just let me continue my little charade of "being in charge."

 

[woodmort]

First, the fact that dogs are required to have licenses or tags is a problem brought on by irresponsible ownership--dogs causing problems. When I was a kid, farm dogs were never licensed but kept around to herd animals and protect the homestead. It wasn't until "city" people started adopting dogs that were not bred to be confined and letting them run free that problems came about because these free roaming animals had no "job". Aside from those with felinephobia there are probably little or no reason to limit or 'tax" those cats being kept for pets by responsible owners. Likewise, I've never seen the reason for having to license a dog that is kept confined and under the owner's control.

Second, historically cats have been kept to control rodents--rats and mice--in fact they were worshiped for it in Egypt. This has given cats a pass as far as being allowed to run free is concerned. Living in the country--which I do--most farmers and homeowner keep cats for that reason. As far as I know, cases of cats killing domestic animals has never been a problem nor have healthy cats attacked and harmed humans. Yes cats kill songbirds but, at least in the case of my 3 indoor/outdoor cats, the number of birds they kill is no where close to the number that have died as the result of smacking into the windows of our house. (Not that this number is high either. In the past year the cats have killed a total of 2 birds, both chickadees. I've removed 3 gold finches from the deck this summer after they broke their neck trying to fly through the house.)

Finally the main problem with cats as well as dogs is the irresponsiblility of owners in controlling their animals. In the case of dogs it is allowing them to run with no supervision, raising havoc, killing livestock and threaten/harm people. With cats it is the unrestricted breeding and the releasing of unwanted animals with the wooley-headed idea that they can survive in the wild. Both of these problems need to be addressed before pet ownership is going to be restricted.

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[PurpleChicken]

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I haven't either.

It's not an argument about cats killing chickens. I haven't heard nor suggested cats are a threat to chickens. My chickens would eat a cat.

 

[Blackbird]

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It sounds like this is an issue you need to take up with those in your state legislature, not us chicken owners on BYC.

 

[Tala]

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That's kindof my thoughts as well, circle of life, everything has a place.

Only well taken care of cats really cause a problem with wildlife because of overpopulation which is due to humans. Stray/feral cats simply don't last very long before something kills them (coyotes come to mind) so they kill less in their short lifetime, but a pampered cat may last a long time and therefore make a bigger impact on the natural prey animals. For those of you who like songbirds, there are a bunch of other people who detest them stealing chicken food and/or bringing their chickens diseases, who is right? I dunno depends on your view of songbirds. I have no strong feelings for or against wild birds, so I don't mind if my cats get a few.
If my dogs would do a little more hunting it wouldn't bother me.

I have shot a cat for me losing 3 chicks. I *think* a human stole them, but I set the trap right next to their pen and that's what I caught so......

 

[b.hromada]

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Nope, they work hard at home every day managing our Swiss bank accounts, ordering toys online, monitoring BYC and scaring away axe murderers. See how exhausted they get?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/2593_bandj.jpg

Thanks for the laugh!! that was great!!!