Should cat owners be fined for the damage their pets cause to wildlife?

Question

The estimate is that an average cat will kill thousands of birds in its life time, even if it is a well fed house cat. They'll also kill lizards, small snakes and such, thus affecting the local wildlife. Hence, should cat owners who let their cat roam free be responsible for the wanton destruction to wildlife that their cats cause?

For those that question the validity of my argument, here's some info on studies done to determine how many birds are taken by domestic or feral cats.

http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~insrisg/nature/nw04/0829catsbirds.htm

This goes beyond nature, folks, as humans protect their cats from their natural predators by providing safe havens.

Answer 1

Yes..they should. The cat killing wildlife is the same as the owner doing it. You cant fault the cat..just the owner.

Answer 2

It's a good question - especially in more populated areas. One barn cat on several acres is different than several cats in a small neighborhood.

I love my cats, but cats are like roaches!
The more people - the more roaches.

They are a very overpopulated animal that has a big impact on species that are not over populated and now those species are dropping in number thanks to our kitties.

I think a ban would be difficult and expensive to enforce. perhaps the money would be better spent educating cat owners. Most of them are animal lovers and I believe will see the light and take action if they only realized the situation.

EDIT: No one had posted when I started writing - now I'm wondering if I'm wrong looking at some of these answers.

No - it is no different than what goes on in the wild - except that now thanks to humans - there are a gazillion more cats than the natural wildlife can support!!!

Think about how well the jungle ecosystem would work if you air dropped an extra million lions or so. Everything would be destroyed - but that's OK that's how nature works? - I don't think so!

This isn't about the natural way of things - this is about what humans are doing to through off the natural balance.

Answer 3

I just woke up cause there are at least a thousand F_cking birds chirping away in my neighbors fruit trees.
I wish there were more cats in my neighborhood so I can get more sleep.

I question your numbers??? Lets say that thousands of birds is actually 1500. that means the average fat lazy house cat kills around 3 birds a week over a 10 year period. I dont think my cat as caught more than 3 birds in her whole life.
I can see wild or ferrel cats doing this but not domestic pets.

The sad reality is that just by being a consumer, you do more damage to wildlife on a daily basis more than any cat does. You know that keyboard that you typed on. The toxic fumes that were released into the air when the plastic was manufactured killed more living things than any cat did on that day. Sony does not manufacture any of thier plastics in Japan. They manufacture them in south & central america because there is no law that regulates how much polution they are pumping in the air. They wouldn't dare poison their air and water so they rip out the rainforrests and do it there.

Answer 4

There's heaps of birds in the world, and the ones
that are rare and all most extinct are the ones that
rely on tree's being cut down to make way for
housing developments or to supply the world with
wood to build your house with, Not the Cat.!!

Yes, cats do catch,kill and eat many birds, many
of these birds are pests anyway,many of these
birds such as the Minor bird carry flees and ticks.!

All cat owners should have there cats de-sexed
and if owners want to breed cats they should
have to apply and buy a license to do so..This
in turn would dramatically stop the amount of feral
and homeless cats..Over breeding and reckless
care of cats is the main reason for feral wildlife
killing kitties..

Answer 5

We don't allow our cats to roam free, so I may not be the best one to answer this question.

However, if there are no laws requiring the animal be confined, then I don't see how owners could be held responsible for the "wanton destruction" to any wildlife. The cat is merely doing what it is programmed to do....there are some who would argue that "destruction" actually benefits the wildlife, by keeping surplus populations under control and thus protecting the food supply.

Sort of like a "controlled burn" that many national forests have each year. The way of nature is to tear down so it can build up. If you ascribe to that line of thinking......

Answer 6

I would think that human beings are the biggest predators and cause the most damage to the ecology. It's certainly not any animals fault that the rain forest is being destroyed. It's not any animals fault that we have global warming. Instead of worrying about a cat's natural instinct, you should be more concerned about what PEOPLE are doing to the earth.

Answer 7

I think everyone has to be responsible for their own action.
I take my cat to the park and I make sure I bring a bag in case she poos and I pick up.
I don't have problem because my cat is indoor cat.
If the owner cannot be responsible why have a cat if there can't teach them and feed them enough, that they have to kill..

Answer 8

oh bologni, that was the benefit in ancient Egypt to kill stray rats and mice, why the death penalty in ancient Egypt to kill a cat.

in New York they refer to birds and pigeons as "flying rats" they are just as unsanitary and spread disease and poop and pee on everything, cats very sanitary go away from food supplies etc. and cover poop, that's why in New York even welcomed those eagles and falcons and hawks to kill and eat the pigeons (blackbirds etc.) because becoming a disease spreading unsanitary hazard pooping on everything, esp. with this avian flu thing now and bird flu, and rats also spread disease, i don't think too many snakes are killed by cats, but poisonous snakes are dangerous and nothing urbs me more than to see petting zoos encourage kids to pet possums, bats, and snakes, (rabies and dangerous in wild), then kids more likely to try to touch when see, even squirrels can bite and carry rabies, i live near the woods and we have many poisonous snakes around here (even killed a couple times water moccasins in back yard, it is recommended you kill, cause if see they probably will return or established a den near there and will return posing hazard), birds are unsanitary and spread disease

Answer 9

Hmm...well...if that's the cause, then what about dogs that kill raccoons, squirrels, whatever else it can catch (perhaps even the neighbors cat). I'm guessing you must not be a cat lover. What about my dad who uses ground hogs in his back yard for target practice (or whatever should wonder into the backyard). What about hunters in general - they pretty much hunt anything that's not endangered.

Answer 10

Cats don't kill any more small creatures than other wild animals (raccoons, possum, skunks, snakes, bigger birds of prey like hawks and vultures)

It's natural...cats are a predatory animal. And I seriously doubt any house cat is causing "wanton destruction to wildlife".

Answer 11

Nope, Cats are only doing what comes naturally, if we fine owners for Cats then who should we fine when a Fox does the same or a Eagle kills Rabbits and the the like