I'm horrified...is this considered normal in MS? (how much, house)

[mccarley]

Originally Posted by AnnieA

cats that have been left in my neighborhood and they have about decimated the bird population.

Surely, you don't mean feral cats kill our dwindling bird population? Perhaps feral cats and wild dogs should be considered game animals. I believe some state or city recently tried that route, but the cat lovers stopped it.

[aquietpath]

It is encouraging to hear that not everyone is so hard hearted but unfortunately, I think we are in the minority. All my animals have been rescued from miserable situations, and I'm up to 9 dogs and 4 cats. That is just about all I can handle, physically and financially. During a horrible heat wave last year, I found 5 small puppies abandoned at a car wash. The city hall was across the street, and I reported them to the mayor who was sitting at her desk at the time. She asked me my name, address, etc. and said they would be taken care of. A few days later, they were dropped off in my front yard!!! I drove up to city hall and confronted the mayor, who acted as though she knew nothing about them. I even volunteered my time to man an animal shelter if a location could be provided, but there was absolutely no interest in my suggestion. If elected officials have no interest in a solution, the general population feel that dumping/killing/torturing an animal is acceptable, it is unlikely that anything will ever be done to correct the problem.

[aquietpath]

Originally Posted by mccarley

Surely, you don't mean feral cats kill our dwindling bird population? Perhaps feral cats and wild dogs should be considered game animals. I believe some state or city recently tried that route, but the cat lovers stopped it.

The reason dogs become wild and cats feral is because some human being failed to live up to their responsibility and provide food and shelter for it. If they are eating birds, it is because they are hungry. Suggesting they become "game animals" and be killed for sport is repugnant and is exactly the kind of mentality that I'm talking about.

[mccarley]

Cats killing birds is repugnant to me.
I would certainly put some limits on the sport if they were considered game. Nothing larger than a .22 caliber, daily limits, no hunting after dark, etc,

[Houston3]

Wild dogs can be very dangerous, if you don't want them shot spend your nights and weekends trapping them..

[MN2CO]

Originally Posted by kateg

God bless you aiangel. You've gathered up all the points you need for a direct ticket to heaven.

Ditto!!

[kateg]

Quietpath, I just received an email from a friend about a sheriff in Arizona, Joe Arpaio. He is a controversial guy who took over animal rescue for the County. If you go on line to mcso.org you can read about him. The Animal Rescue Unit is M.A.S.H. Seems the prisoners operate the shelter and he has saved the County a huge amount of money by taking it over. He also does fund raising.

Perhaps you could write to your Congressman/woman about what this County has done.

Joe Arpaio is also on Twitter. He may have some ideas or be willing to help. Worth a try. Good luck.

I've had success with issues by going to the local major newspaper and often they will do a story. If you choose to do this just use caution considering the type of people you're talking about.

[jhadorn]

I don't think that is considered normal here, but it does happen. From childhood up until now all our pets are either strays we have taken in or rescues from a shelter. I don't have the time of day for anyone who would abuse an animal or a child. I won't say how I really feel about people like that.

[Tama]

Originally Posted by mccarley

Cats killing birds is repugnant to me.
I would certainly put some limits on the sport if they were considered game. Nothing larger than a .22 caliber, daily limits, no hunting after dark, etc,

Weird ! a cat kiling a bird is repugnant--even though the bird has its fair chance--but shooting a defenseless kitty because she is following nature's law is OK??

Birds are lovely and I would never hurt one but they are not long-lived nor are they as intelligent and complex a creature as a cat. So your reaction to the situation is well-weird. Why not start a program to trap neuter release(TNR) ferals so that their numbers eventually become self-limiting. Then with no ferals around encourage cat owners to protect birds by using enclosures. Education and time could negate the problem. But that wouldn't be as much fun as using your .22 caliber.

[Tama]

To the OP--I have a heads up for you. Not only is it normal in Mississippi it is normal in most rural areas in the United States. Outside the urban areas where rescue and humane laws operate animals are cruelly confined, neglected, abandoned, abused, and tortured. Not just in Mississippi--I am sorry to say. It is everywhere.