Wisconsin hunter wants open season on domestic cats

[demnan]

MADISON, Wis. — Hunter Mark Smith welcomes wild birds on to his property, but if he sees a cat, he thinks the "invasive'' animal should be considered fair game.

The 48-year-old firefighter from La Crosse has proposed that hunters in Wisconsin make free-roaming domestic cats an "unprotected species'' that could be shot at will by anyone with a small-game license.

His proposal will be placed before hunters on April 11 at the Wisconsin Conservation Congress spring hearings in each of the state's 72 counties.

"I get up in the morning and if there's new snow, there's cat tracks under my bird feeder ... I look at them as an invasive species, plain and simple,'' Smith said.

Smith's proposal has horrified cat lovers, but is seen by others as a way to stop cats from killing wild birds.

More:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/1557/5276384.html

[Lorien]

1. Yeah, I waded into that flame fest in GD

sickening how many DUers thought this was a good idea. There's a lot of people on this board that take great delight in suggesting that our furkids should be killed for any reason at all; most of them are probably just unhappy people who go to discussion boards looking to spread a little bitterness.

If someone wants to stop a cat from killing birds, then there's a very simple solution; put a collar with a bell on the cat!

[Eurobabe]

2. or keep it indoors

n/t

[Lorien]

4. That has been my solution!

too many dangers to kitty out there. Still, I am grateful that one of my neighbor's cats has ended a rodent problem under my home's foundation that I've been struggling with for several years (I won't poison rats; it's a horrible death and their bodies often end up decomposing in the walls. Ick).

[demnan]

5. The problem is, sometimes they escape

and what if your pet escapes and someone shoots it? Or for that matter your kid or your dog?

[meow2u3]

3. StopThePendulum wants open season on cat killers

:evilgrin: Only half-joking!

[ernstbass]

6. Absolutely disgusting!!

There are many people areound here who exhibit an alarming lack of sensitivity to animals - it surprises me and saddens me

[geekgrrl]

7. not totally on topic- but I love your Aby! I have one too!

Her name is Angie and she is 11. We adopted her last year (overweight and diabetic) she is wonderful- can't imagine anyone gave her up.

Yeah- I have heard this stuff on TV here in Wisconsin. i can't imagine it would pass through. It is just not logical. How would a hunter know what was a stray? We have always kept our cats indoors b/c there are nuts like that out there.

Anywhere- here is Angie!
<img src="" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

[demnan]

11. Lily is 14 years old and except for a little arthritis

doing very well, thank you. Your kitty is very beautiful. Lily is actually half Abby. Her mother was owned by a friend of mine but the kitty refused to breed with the Abby they wanted her to breed with. So one day she was in season and Sally let her out, hoping that the "experience" would help her breed later. It never did work that way, though, she had Cleo fixed.

Cleo had three very beautiful kittens all with Abby markings but also with characteristics of their father (spots on the belly, etc.) It's funny that Abby characteristics, unlike those of other breeds are dominant over tabbys and what not (Daddy was a brown tabby in the neighborhood).

[RebelOne]

8. Believe me, this will never fly.

Even if the hunters approve it, there are too many animal lovers who will protest and believe me, there will be a big stink. I subscribe to many animal rescue groups through YahooGroups. And already there is an outcry. Animal rescue groups are posting this everywhere.

[SW FL Dem]

9. I think it is disgusting!

How can the hunter's make this decision??

[Zuni]

10. This better not pass, or I will boycott anything from Wisconsin

It is absolutely savage and cruel that this ass would even suggest shooting neighborhood cats.