I like a good debate. People should have the right to express their opinions whether I agree with them or not. What I like about this forum is that random topics pop up -especially at weekends. If you find a person's view offensive, block that person. It's your personal choice, but allow others to make their own choice. If you don't like a thread, don't read it. There are other readily accessible forums with no social content.
A civil debate certainly would be useful and may change people's mind. However a raging argument will only reinforce people's initial convictions. Comment moderation would be a good start for people to listen to each others.
I see your point B3 but maybe the potting shed would be more appropriate for these discussions rather than the problem solving page? Just start a thread " why I dislike cats" and then those of us who don't dislike them can just not get involved. My sister has issues with cats in her garden scaring the rabbit and I found the initial points of this topic helpful less so we're the nasty comments that followed
I don't have cats because they are an 'easier option' I prefer them to dogs for many reasons. An "easy option" is no pets I think if people just confined themselves to giving advice as to how to deal with cats in the garden that would be more appropriate for a gardening forum. If you don't like cats you are perfectly within your rights to dislike them but it's not helpful just ranting about how horrible they are is it?
Which is why I said 'a lot of people' and not 'all cat owners'.
Neither did I 'rant' about not liking cats or how horrible they are. I simply said they have an impact on other people, and native wildlife and I think that the owner should be responsible for them.
Its a gardening forum, the post concerns how cats impact gardens, Im giving my opinion on that subject and think it is completely appropriate
As I've said before ... I don't dislike cats ... I like most and love ome of them ... I just don't own one at the moment and I don't want other people's cats in my garden ... why is that so wrong?
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I would say that the RSBP are a big part of the problem. So many of their members are avid cat lovers that the organisation refuse to take a strong line on cats. They state that "Despite the large numbers of birds killed by cats in gardens, there is
no clear scientific evidence that such mortality is causing bird
populations to decline." It's just not true. As a along standing RSPB member I am pushing for them to change their position. They can't ignore the problem any longer.
There are wide ranging studies in the US that suggest domestic cats kill up to 4 billion birds and 22 billion mammals a year. This article in the science journal Nature states that domestic cats "cause a substantial proportion of total wildlife mortality... [and are] among the top sources of anthropogenic bird mortality;"
In my view the law clearly needs to change. Under British law owners have a clear legal duty of care for their dogs and their dogs' actions. This has to be extended to cats. The idea that cats are somehow inherently wilder has to be let go. It's time to take responsibility for all our domestic animals.
Jellyfire I didn't mean you were ranting but some people wereand more than one person said cats were the easier option so my comments were not directed at you personally just you were the latest person to post. I agree the post was hijacked and I do realise that people have problems with other people's pets but it's such a touchy subject maybe we should all think twice about what we write. I wanted some helpful advice for my sister and got more than I bargained for but worse things happen at sea!
The difference in law between cats and dogs is only really because dogs may injure people or livestock. An owner who's dog killed a cat or wildlife would not generally be subject to sanction unless it could be shown that the dog was deliberately 'set' to kill. Although dog owners can be prosecuted if their dog is 'dangerously out of control', that would generally only be pursued if the danger was to a person or a person's livelihood.
I guess the law shrugs at cats because the harm they may do to people is indirect and therefore harder to attribute to an owner.
Of course if cats had to wear ID as dogs must, then that could change. You could mandate that all pet cats must wear collars with bells and ID. I doubt it's high on our government's priorities at the moment.
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Posts
People should have the right to express their opinions whether I agree with them or not.
What I like about this forum is that random topics pop up -especially at weekends.
If you find a person's view offensive, block that person. It's your personal choice, but allow others to make their own choice. If you don't like a thread, don't read it.
There are other readily accessible forums with no social content.
Neither did I 'rant' about not liking cats or how horrible they are. I simply said they have an impact on other people, and native wildlife and I think that the owner should be responsible for them.
Its a gardening forum, the post concerns how cats impact gardens, Im giving my opinion on that subject and think it is completely appropriate
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Don't most of us just scroll through 'recent discussions' anyway?
I guess the law shrugs at cats because the harm they may do to people is indirect and therefore harder to attribute to an owner.
Of course if cats had to wear ID as dogs must, then that could change. You could mandate that all pet cats must wear collars with bells and ID. I doubt it's high on our government's priorities at the moment.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”