Adorable Killers: The Shocking Truth about Cats

[marmar]

from Der Spiegel:




The house cat -- that cute, furry feline beloved the world over -- is also one of the world's most destructive predators, killing for kicks and hunting rare species into extinction. Cats thrive because people protect them -- but should they?

What happened to the kaka bird? What about the weka, the kokako or the kiwi? They are all in danger of extinction, like so many of New Zealand's unique animal species. Too often, they end up in the jaws of what is probably the most murderous predator on the planet.

This carnivore doesn't look nearly as deadly as the white shark, as brawny as the grizzly bear or as menacing as the Tyrannosaurus rex. But it shouldn't be underestimated. Felis catus -- the Latin name for the domestic cat -- is a stone-cold killer, and it numbers in the hundreds of millions.

Thanks to its charm, the cat has managed to slink into the hearts of human beings and subjugate them. The Homo sapiens attends to its every need, be it nutritional, medical or political. In the home, the cat plays the role of the capricious but cuddly pet. But once outside the door, it reverts to its true nature, becoming nothing but a killer prowling through the undergrowth, utterly without conscience, mercy or understanding. ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/killer-cats-threaten-the-world-s-endangered-species-a-881978.html

[virgogal]

1. Puuurrrrrrrr !

[oldhippie]

2. Our Masters .....

... how dare you?

[theKed]

3. Still?

We're doing this evil cat schtick?

[DinahMoeHum]

4. OMFG!! Is there a conspiracy going on against cats worldwide?????

This is like the umpteenth time in 2 weeks I've come across an article bad-mouthing and blaming domestic cats for threatening the livelihood of other creatures, especially birds.

If anything, Felis catus's big wild cousins, especially the tigers, are the ones in grave danger of extinction.

Maybe this is karma at work?? Our furry friends taking their revenge?

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. You know, I got the strangest feeling of Deja vu when I saw this thread.

Glad I'm not alone.

[Blue_In_AK]

10. Here's a little piece to counter the hysteria.

http://blogs.bestfriends.org/index.php/2013/01/31/fuzzy-math-on-cats-birds-clouds-highly-questionable-study/

[whathehell]

11. Seems so, and I understand from the group Alley Cat Allies, that they are being killed

This sucks, IMO.

I was shocked when my lovable dog killed a rabbit in our yard,

but I had no intention of labeling him a " dangerous killer".

[glinda]

5. The bad PR cats have been getting now is promoting killing them

when they are out doors instead of spay and neuter programs or encouraging people to be more responsible.

[WCGreen]

7. All I know is that once in a while a poor, unfortunate mouse somehow breaks into our house....

The four cats quickly have the poor thing in a certain death match of mousy, mousy, who has the mouse that I wouldn't wish on any being, except, or course, a mouse.

[Zoeisright]

8. Keep your cats indoors.

Problem solved. Plus your cat has fewer health problems and lives much longer.

Christ - this isn't rocket science.

[Remmah2]

19. +1

Cat and dogs natural instinct is to hunt/chase. We have 2 cats and three dogs, all content to hang out inside w/a grumpy old man by the fireplace.

Cat at the key board posts: yubruir78j7nmnu7tr7bgyubnu7ntyun

[ChazInAz]

9. Picture a world without them.

Without those stone-cold killers, we'd be buried in starlings, rodents, assorted bugs...you name the vermin, our purring beasts keep their numbers down.

[FarCenter]

13. Cats are poor at rodent control; a rat terrier is much better

A cat will kill one rat and lose interest in the rest.

A terrier will kill until they are all dead.

[DinahMoeHum]

16. I dunno, it's been said that just the SMELL of a cat

around the premises (the urine? marking territory?) keeps most vermin away. Those that don't get the hint (ahem, scent) tend to learn the hard way.

[TwilightGardener]

12. Kittehs! Godless little killing machines.

I have an idea, why not just make New Zealanders keep their cats indoors, since their native birds appear to be especially susceptible to predation? I keep my cats inside, it's not that hard.

[sufrommich]

14. Cats belong indoors. Anyone who

feeds birds knows this. We have a neighbor who lets her cats roam the neighborhood and I find dead,mangled birds in my yard at least 6 times a year and that's just my yard.

[obamanut2012]

15. And cats caused the Bubonic Plague because they were familiars

Easier to blame kitties following their natural instincts, than pollution, pesticides, destroying forests....


VIVA LE KITTAHS!!!

[otohara]

17. I Use A Collar w/ 3 Bells

when we let our little Killer Kiko outside to do her bizness.
She's not outside for very long at any given time, but I don't want her killing another bird.

[flvegan]

18. LOL! "Most murderous predator on the planet"?? That would be the human, not the cat.

Not that I'm suggesting folks anywhere not replace their humans as they die off. I'd probably get in trouble for that.

[slackmaster]

20. Paging the Gipper...

[Ikonoklast]

21. Steaming pantsload. Agriculture and urban sprawl, deforestation of habitat all done by humans

has far more to do with bird population decline than predatory felines.

[TheProgressive]

22. Cats are pets and as such should be treated the same as a dog.

Cats should be on leashes when outdoors. Or in a pen. Or keep them in the house.

Just like a dog. What the hell is the difference?

Cats kill for sport. Cats must be prevented from roaming free.
And they come into your yard and take a shit. Disgusting.

Name one reason cats should not be treated just like a dog.

[PCIntern]

23. So I'm reading that a German publication that is

accusing cats of being mass murderers and extinguishing races.

My family had a similar experience in Europe about 70+ years ago.