Letter: Antisocial cats
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Antisocial cats
Sir: Mr Harper's cat (letter, 13 December) is hardly typical of its species if it has never killed "any living thing".
A survey by junior members of the Mammal Society (reported in RSPB's Birds Magazine of spring 1999) reported more than 14,000 prey items from 964 cats, including 3,383 birds. Based on the numbers of reptiles (grass snakes, slow worms etc) caught and killed by this population of cuddly domestic cats it was postulated that their 800,000 feral relatives could be significantly affecting the reptile populations of the UK.
Another correspondent defended the actions of the domestic cat by quoting "nature red in tooth and claw". That's fine when you talk about natural populations and predator-prey relationships - that is not the case for cats whose numbers are directly influenced by their association with humans. There are millions of them in the UK, and the vast majority that are not owned by responsible Independent readers spend most of the day and night roaming the neighbourhood decimating the natural wildlife population.
The cat is an anti-social pet and there is no defending it. It wipes out your local songbirds and craps in other people's gardens.
KEVIN MURPHY
Southampton
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments