Question:
http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/sto...1349587729.htm

Wisc. Hunter Wants Open Season for Cats



MADISON, Wis. (AP) - 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.


University of Wisconsin-Madison wildlife ecology professor Stanley Temple, who trapped more than 100 cats and analyzed their stomach contents during a four-year study, has estimated that between 7.8 million and 219 million birds are killed by rural cats in Wisconsin each year.


``It's obviously a very controversial proposal,'' Temple said, but added, ``I think there really is a basis for having a debate about it.''


The Conservation Congress is a five-member elected body whose duty is to advise the Department of Natural Resources and the Legislature on natural resources issues.


DNR attorney Tim Andryk said the vote would simply be ``an advisory recommendation'' to state lawmakers.


``We (the DNR) don't have authority to regulate domestic animals. Legislation would have to be passed to accomplish this,'' Andryk said. ``You might also have to amend laws relating to abuse of domestic animals.''


But Temple said he thinks legislation is not needed. He said the department does have the authority to declare rural cats an unprotected species - because unclaimed cats can be considered nonnative wildlife species like house mice, Norway rats, pigeons and starlings.


``If they are not a pet, if somebody doesn't claim ownership, they become a nonnative wildlife species and not entitled to protection by the state,'' he said.


Cat enthusiasts Cheryl Balazs, Ted O'Donnell and Adam Bauknecht are trying to organize opposition to Smith's proposal. O'Donnell, a co-owner of MadCat Pet Supplies, recently set up a Web site, dontshootthecat.com, to inform people about it.


O'Donnell said Smith's proposal ``is a callous response'' to the problem of cats preying on wild birds.


``There's more humane solutions,'' he said. ``We as citizens should step up and solve the problem humanely.''


Sheri Carr, senior humane officer at the Dane County Humane Society, said the group has not yet taken a position on the proposal, but wants cat owners to abide by their local ordinances and not let their animals roam.


``I would hate to think that tame, owned cats who happen to slip out would be at risk of being deemed a wild, unprotected species,'' Carr said. ``It's a delicate (ecological) balance out there, but does that mean people should be able to shoot their neighbor's cat? Probably not.''


Information from: Wisconsin State Journal, http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com


Answer:
That's ridiculous. They're cats. Cats eat birds. Big whoop-di-doo. Maybe I should start hunting non-vegetarians because humans are an invasive species and I don't like humans killing animals. I really hope this law doesn't get passed.


Answer:
Thats disgusting!!!!!
I find the birds to be an annoyance...pooping on my cars and squawking early in the morning! (don't get me wrong, we have a bird feeder out front and I like the birds to come and eat , just making a point) Ohh, I have a better idea....when an annoying person like Mark Smith comes into my yard, I should be able to shoot him!


Answer:
That's insane. I really hope saner minds prevail and the law is not passed.

What bugs me is when Temple says legislation to regulate cats is not necessary, because the DNR has the authority to declare the cats unprotected. So in other words, it's easier to just shoot the cats rather than trying to address the true issue of negligent cat owners and the plight of feral cats.

So they want to shoot the cats because they're eating all the birds, therefore interfering with the humans enjoying 'nature'. Well, too bad the birds can't shoot the humans for cutting down all their trees to build their homes and polluting their skies...oh no, it's only an invasive species if it's encroaching on humans. Humans encroaching on other species and rendering them endangered or extinct doesn't count. How utterly stupid, self-centred and arrogant humans are!


Answer:
That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard! I really hope this law doesn't get passed. It is not the cats fault that they either don't have an owner or their owner is to stupid to keep their cat indoors. Jeez, humans will use any excuse to be able to use a gun.


Answer:
while i dont agree with the redneck i do know where hes coming from. my landlords are the type that dont really "own" the cats but they feed them. thats it they dont innoculate, spay or any other vet care. so the cats are a pain in the *** to everyone in the neighbourhood but the "owners". i agree bridget that they need to have laws for cats the same as dogs. nothing i hate worse then people letting their cats outside to roam the neighbourhood in populated areas. it doesnt even matter what people think about whether cats should be indoors or not it comes down to responsible pet ownership and thats that. letting your animals run be it dogs, rats, elephants or cats is not considered responsible. if you live in the boonies then i suppose its a little different. but i spend money to feed birds and i dont need a friggin cat coming thinking its cool that i put a lure there just for them. i certainly wouldnt shoot them but i do chase them or get the dogs to put the run to them. (i have small poodles so dont worry that they could actually do something)
as a society we need to take responsibility for the animals we have domesticated and protect them hopefully one day cats will be on the same playing field as dogs so that there will be no more feral colonies.


Answer:
That's the most infuriating proposition I've ever heard! Nothing bugs me more than children yet I don't think I'd be applauded if I started harming them!


Answer:
as far as peoples' PET cats go:
i think the real problem here is that cats aren't subjected to the "leash laws" that dogs are. cats shouldn't be allowed to just roam around free in neighborhoods.

as far as feral cats go:
that's sick! i think it said that they would be protected by the state. that would be good. they shouldn't just be shot and killed because they are pests. they are just following their natural instincts!

i love the point that you guys made about how humans are really the ones infringing on others' habitats. so true!