Birder kills feral cat

[Doop]

http://www.beloblog.com/KHOU_Animal_Attraction/archives/2006/11/galveston_birde.html (http://www.beloblog.com/KHOU_Animal_Attraction/archives/2006/11/galveston_birde.html)

What a monster.

This is the guy's website (http://www.galvestonbirders.org/jimstevenson.htm); where he gives his address and asks for money for his court case.

[The Falcon]

the guy who works at the bridge seems a little too obsessive about the stray cats, if you ask me. animal cruelty is never a good thing. i'd like to hear this bird watcher's excuse for taking pot shots at the cats. "umm... they eat birds"

[FireStarterLE]

ha, this guy wants people to waste money paying for his screw up

what an idiot

[JAG]

While I don't agree with this guy's "kill every cat you can find" policy, I do agree that cats need to be controlled. They are becoming a problem for native wildlife in many areas. In places like Australia, where the native animals have never had to deal with cats and therefore don't know how, cats are driving some species to extinction. Something is going to have to be done about this at some point. Just not drive-by shooting.

[Lazerboy5000]

ha, this guy wants people to waste money paying for his screw up

what an idiot
I second that notion.

[Starfire6417]

Well,I Have two one year old cats named Tom and Gerri. my dad named them
after the cartoon characters tom and jerry.one's a boy and one's a girl.
anyway,this gets me upset with that man and he should be punsihed for a while for hurting a poor helpless cat. I Love cats and Dogs but not birds. they creep me out.How would he feel if somebody came up and shot lots of
his birds. that's not right!

[TyUnlimited]

Is everybody these days completely crazy?

God only knows what animal cruelty will turn into one day......

[Antiyonder]

the guy who works at the bridge seems a little too obsessive about the stray cats, if you ask me. animal cruelty is never a good thing. i'd like to hear this bird watcher's excuse for taking pot shots at the cats. "umm... they eat birds"

You know what they say. The bridge to Hell is built with good intentions.

[Doop]

the guy who works at the bridge seems a little too obsessive about the stray cats, if you ask me.
There are worse things to be obsessive about than protecting and taking care of stray cats.

They are becoming a problem for native wildlife in many areas. In places like Australia, where the native animals have never had to deal with cats and therefore don't know how, cats are driving some species to extinction.
I'm sure humans have driven a lot more species to extinction than cats have.

At the MSPCA I volunteer at, they took in a lot of feral cats, had them spayed and neutered, and then released them back into the wild.

[Shawn Hopkins]

Let me first say a cat is my favorite animal ever. I've taken care of dozens, even nursing sick ones with a baby bottle.

But feral cats, like wild dogs, are the sad result of human irresponsibility. They aren't pets and can't be made pets. They breed out of control and they kill wildlife and cause damage because they don't really fit in the ecosystem and don't have many predators. I don't think this guy was totally wrong to kill one, although it should be done in a humane way.

[Punisher]

So the death of a cat is important enough news to actually make a thread about it? Excuse me if I just don't see the point...cats die everyday and just because this one was shot by a person it's news? And it's a feral cat too, it's not like it was his neighbor's cat who was eating his flowers and the guy got angry and shot it. I'm not advocating his actions by any means(should have just called somebody to come and capture the cats) but I really don't see the point of reporting it because you're just going to get the typical "That bastard! Animal cruelty! I love cats:p " type of post when they don't take into account that feral cats are technically an invasive species and do not belong in the same area as the birds.

And on top of that, the story is a year old. I looked around the link a bit more and one person made an excellent point:
Cats are not native, and they can proliferate wildly if left uncontrolled. Cats are extremely adaptable, and can survive almost any extreme environment this earth can offer, they're even survived and grown in population in Antarctica! Cats, unlike a lot of predators, kill for the sake of killing, not because they're hungry. For a feral colony of cats to be successful, there has to be an organized effort to catch, spay/neuter, and release, as well as the occasional trap and rehome. Birds, on the other hand, are native. It's unrealistic to feel sorry for the cat, but do nothing to control it's numbers. They are not natural to the environment, hello? Another thing to consider is the quality of life of a feral cat in an unmanaged colony. Fleas, disease, parasites, infection (they fight), they can be a miserable bunch, with a drastically shortened life expectancy. Get a close look at some of them. That ought to be enough to galvanize the people who just want to defile the protector of the birds. Be a proactive, positive influence on the cat colonies. Really, how many of these people decrying the ornithologist's actions have done a single blessed thing to make any of the many area feral cat colonies less destructive to the natural environment? Don't just blast off, think! Then DO! I have trapped many feral cats, and taken them in to the pound, which is sad because they just get euthanized. Sadder still is you can't win, there are always more feral cats. Until people spay/neuter and quit thinking of companion animals as disposable, there always will be another, and another. Sad commentary on our society.

[Doop]

But feral cats, like wild dogs, are the sad result of human irresponsibility. They aren't pets and can't be made pets. They breed out of control and they kill wildlife and cause damage because they don't really fit in the ecosystem and don't have many predators. I don't think this guy was totally wrong to kill one, although it should be done in a humane way.

Humans breed out of control. Humans don't have many predators. Humans have done more damage to the planet than cats ever will.

Cats, unlike a lot of predators, kill for the sake of killing, not because they're hungry.
Wow, and there aren't any humans out there who enjoy hunting other animals? Furthermore, cats are born with the instinct to hunt; it's been ingrained in them from when wild cats hunted for survival.

Also, read this (http://www.alleycat.org/predation.html).

on top of that, the story is a year old.
While he may have killed the cat a year ago, they're still preparing to go court. The October 1 issue of People (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20057812,00.html) did an article on it and interviewed the two guys (which is how I found out about it in the first place).

[Czar Gato]

Humans breed out of control. Humans don't have many predators. Humans have done more damage to the planet than cats ever will.
So because some humans do bad things sometimes they shouldn't be allowed to control destruction caused by other animals that they released into the wild. Right, okay. Isn't doing nothing and letting cats destroy native species just as bad as doing it yourself?

EDIT: And no, I'm not advocating cruelty towards animals, but I do think humane population control is necessary.

[Doop]

So because some humans do bad things sometimes they shouldn't be allowed to control destruction caused by other animals that they released into the wild. Right, okay.
No, they should clean up their own problems before dealing with other animal's.

Isn't doing nothing and letting cats destroy native species just as bad as doing it yourself?

EDIT: And no, I'm not advocating cruelty towards animals, but I do think humane population control is necessary.

If by humane, you mean "spay and neuter them before releasing them back into the wild," I have no problem with that.

[mookie75]

So the death of a cat is important enough news to actually make a thread about it? Excuse me if I just don't see the point...cats die everyday and just because this one was shot by a person it's news? And it's a feral cat too, it's not like it was his neighbor's cat who was eating his flowers and the guy got angry and shot it. I'm not advocating his actions by any means(should have just called somebody to come and capture the cats) but I really don't see the point of reporting it because you're just going to get the typical "That bastard! Animal cruelty! I love cats:p " type of post when they don't take into account that feral cats are technically an invasive species and do not belong in the same area as the birds.

And on top of that, the story is a year old. I looked around the link a bit more and one person made an excellent point:

Has this board ever needed a good reaon to post a "Zomg! People suck so much sometimes!" thread?

I think there must be a quota on these things or something....

[Patchwork]

Humans breed out of control. Humans don't have many predators. Humans have done more damage to the planet than cats ever will.


Wow, and there aren't any humans out there who enjoy hunting other animals? Furthermore, cats are born with the instinct to hunt; it's been ingrained in them from when wild cats hunted for survival.

While it may be true that on a whole fifteen humans will do more damage to the planet than 100 feral cats, the fact of the matter is, it still hurts an ecosystem that's already hurting pretty badly. Letting feral cats to their own devices only makes a bad situation worse.

I recall an incident in which one, cat, ONE, was singe handedly responsible for killing an entire bird population on an island. Which island it was, I can't recall (around New Zealand, I think?). I'll try and link a link to it if I can.

I can see the feral problem eventually turning into a situation resembling that of the cane toad, which completely threw the ecosystem out of whack.

Now, I'm not advocating what this guy did, as there are far better ways to go about it. I'd much rather see a mass spay/neuter program instead, since there are little to no predators around to take care of the cats (and the ones that ARE around usually end up getting booted out anyway).

However, if it comes to the point where the population becomes so big that neutering doesn't make much of a dent, more drastic measures might have to be taken.

Personally, I'd much see the coyote population (which is already in the ecosystem) be allowed to grow, instead of constantly cut down by "bounty hunters" and that way have a more natural way to cut down the cat population.

[Doop]

Again, read the article (http://www.alleycat.org/predation.html) I posted.

Even though some cats can become efficient hunters and do kill birds, many international biologists agree that only on small islands do cats pose a severe threat to the wildlife populations. They agree with biologist C.J. Mead that “any bird populations on the continents that could not withstand these levels of predation from cats and other predators would have disappeared long ago.”

And finally, while many concentrate their efforts on blaming cats, the real culprit, homo sapiens, goes free; continuing the destruction of habitat, hunting, killing, and using pesticides that endanger entire populations of wildlife, including millions of birds.


Personally, I'd much see the coyote population (which is already in the ecosystem) be allowed to grow, instead of constantly cut down by "bounty hunters" and that way have a more natural way to cut down the cat population.

Which again goes to show that humans are more responsible for the problems than cats are.

[Patchwork]

No, I read it. I was just pointing that out.

As I said before, it really depends on the individual situation and area.
In the middle of the city, a bunch of ferals probabaly aren't going to be that much trouble as far as wildlife is concerned, since there aren't that many animals there to be threatened, and their numbers are probably going to be thinned from illness and cars anyway.

I do indeed agree that humans are the ones that caused the problems in the first place.
The question now is, what are we going to do to fix the mess we caused?

[Master Moron]

No, I read it. I was just pointing that out.

As I said before, it really depends on the individual situation and area.
In the middle of the city, a bunch of ferals probabaly aren't going to be that much trouble as far as wildlife is concerned, since there aren't that many animals there to be threatened, and their numbers are probably going to be thinned from illness and cars anyway.

I do indeed agree that humans are the ones that caused the problems in the first place.
The question now is, what are we going to do to fix the mess we caused?

Uhhh...spay and neuter humans?

[Doop]

I feel like vomiting.

http://www.itchmo.com/texas-bird-lover-on-trial-for-cat-felony-2615
http://birdfreak.com/feral-cats-and-jim-stevenson/

[Shawn Hopkins]

If by humane, you mean "spay and neuter them before releasing them back into the wild," I have no problem with that.

What good does that do in the short term, though? They still kill birds and other wildlife. I think catching them and euthanizing them would be more humane than shooting, poisoning or trapping them, though.

[Doop]

They still kill birds and other wildlife.
So?

Again...

Even though some cats can become efficient hunters and do kill birds, many international biologists agree that only on small islands do cats pose a severe threat to the wildlife populations. They agree with biologist C.J. Mead that “any bird populations on the continents that could not withstand these levels of predation from cats and other predators would have disappeared long ago.”

And finally, while many concentrate their efforts on blaming cats, the real culprit, homo sapiens, goes free; continuing the destruction of habitat, hunting, killing, and using pesticides that endanger entire populations of wildlife, including millions of birds.

[Shawn Hopkins]

It's just weird logic that you're using, though. See a problem, find a way to justify doing nothing about it?

And that article comes from a site devoted to policies that allow feral cats to roam free, so I have to doubt its objectivity. In fact, they're pretty far from the mainstream when it comes to animal control policies.

Look, they're cute and fuzzy and that's the kind of thing that clouds people's judgement, but they are an invasive species, not a wild animal. They just don't fit and the only outcome of letting them run wild is ecological harm.

[Doop]

See a problem, find a way to justify doing nothing about it?

Having them spayed and neutered isn't doing nothing.

that article comes from a site devoted to policies that allow feral cats to roam free.

"Alley Cat Allies is dedicated to advocating for nonlethal methods to reduce outdoor cat populations."

[Shawn Hopkins]

Having them spayed and neutered isn't doing nothing.



"Alley Cat Allies is dedicated to advocating for nonlethal methods to reduce outdoor cat populations."

Got me on those two points. I still don't think euthanising them would be monstrous, though.

[sun]

It's just weird logic that you're using, though. See a problem, find a way to justify doing nothing about it?

And that article comes from a site devoted to policies that allow feral cats to roam free, so I have to doubt its objectivity. In fact, they're pretty far from the mainstream when it comes to animal control policies.

Look, they're cute and fuzzy and that's the kind of thing that clouds people's judgement, but they are an invasive species, not a wild animal. They just don't fit and the only outcome of letting them run wild is ecological harm.

..Why ecological harm? Simply put, the natural enemies of cats, those that would control the cat population, have been eliminated..Such as wolves, certain kinds of hunting birds, etc. Humans eliminated the predators that, let's say, deal with an over population of cats. As stated earlier, humans are the problem, not the cats. Many people let their cats run free. So, more cats. Where I live, we have an over population of rabbits. Why? ---the natural enemies of rabbits, crows, have been almost eliminated by the West Nile Virus...the birds would deal with the rabbits, and keep them in control. naturally.
In some places, deer have over run certain forests and areas that they live in.
How can that happen? simple. The deer have no natural enemies either. Their natural enemies have been eliminated by man. Animals like cougar and wolves that would control that population have been eliminated. Mess around with nature and you get consequences.

[Shawn Hopkins]

..Why ecological harm? Simply put, the natural enemies of cats, those that would control the cat population, have been eliminated..Such as wolves, certain kinds of hunting birds, etc. Humans eliminated the predators that, let's say, deal with an over population of cats. As stated earlier, humans are the problem, not the cats. Many people let their cats run free. So, more cats. Where I live, we have an over population of rabbits. Why? ---the natural enemies of rabbits, crows, have been almost eliminated by the West Nile Virus...the birds would deal with the rabbits, and keep them in control. naturally.
In some places, deer have over run certain forests and areas that they live in.
How can that happen? simple. The deer have no natural enemies either. Their natural enemies have been eliminated by man. Animals like cougar and wolves that would control that population have been eliminated. Mess around with nature and you get consequences.

Crows don't kill rabbits, Sun.

[sun]

Crows don't kill rabbits, Sun.

I observed the crows around my house. They eat anything..small rodents, garbage, almost anything..And they are pretty smart.
..Now most people imagine rabbits as large animals. But I wouldn't put it past a crow, or other hunting bird, like an owl, to eat very small rabbits, like when they are very young..

Oh and since I am discussing the topic...Wiley E Coyote..also eats rabbits..(and Wiley and his family are a whole lot smarter than most people think.)

[Patchwork]

I observed the crows around my house. They eat anything..small rodents, garbage, almost anything..And they are pretty smart.
..Now most people imagine rabbits as large animals. But I wouldn't put it past a crow, or other hunting bird, like an owl, to eat very small rabbits, like when they are very young..

True. But small rabbits aren't above ground in the first place. Not unless they're dug up by something else, like a badger or fox. And even then, that's sort of iffy.
Crows tend to go for easy meals, and they'd be much more likely to eat a dead adul rabbit than go through the trouble of eating a live baby one.

Now, would they go after a cat? Depends on the situation. A mob might go after a couple of cats, if they were desperate, or the cats posed some threat to them. And they might go after a kitten, if given the chance. But still, I wouldn't count on it. Certainly, I wouldn't say they'd be any sort of main predator.

For cats, your best bet for a natural predator's gonna be the coyote, as they already eat cats anyway, and they're the only ones still around to do it. After all, coyotes can survive almost anywhere.
Oh, and possibly foxes. And maybe a couple of loose dogs.

[sun]

True. But small rabbits aren't above ground in the first place. Not unless they're dug up by something else, like a badger or fox. And even then, that's sort of iffy.
Crows tend to go for easy meals, and they'd be much more likely to eat a dead adul rabbit than go through the trouble of eating a live baby one.

Now, would they go after a cat? Depends on the situation. A mob might go after a couple of cats, if they were desperate, or the cats posed some threat to them. And they might go after a kitten, if given the chance. But still, I wouldn't count on it. Certainly, I wouldn't say they'd be any sort of main predator.

For cats, your best bet for a natural predator's gonna be the coyote, as they already eat cats anyway, and they're the only ones still around to do it. After all, coyotes can survive almost anywhere.
Oh, and possibly foxes. And maybe a couple of loose dogs.

Coyotes are real survivors in the city landscape. Strangely, their population is increasing since they have no competition. Nature takes care of most animals as far as overpopulation is concerned, as long as there is a balance.

Sadly, humans tend to tip the balance one way or another. This thread is about some nutcase shooting cats. WhY? Many humans are crazy. Why?
Well, that is another thread altogether. And I might add, those that mutilate and needlessly kill pets, often graduate to doing the same to their own young people, their children. Why? Even sadder, they were abused as children too.

We may tend to think that abuse of cats is unimportant. I would say that it is very important. If society can prevent child abuse by identifying the abusers long before they hurt children, then we must prevent it. I can only hope that we take this problem more seriously than it looks. Prevention of problems before they occur is clearly the best solution. People that think that child abuse is not a problem, related to pet abuse, have not read reports from prisoners who have abused their children. Many testify that they started with pets.

[Patchwork]

That's all quite true, in the case of animal abuse (part of the reason the law comes down so hard on it), and I do agree that it deserves our full attention. But I'm not really sure if this was indeed a direct, intended case of animal abuse.
At least, not in the way you're describing it.
I keep thinking that in this case, it was just a misguided guy who honestly wanted to protect the birds and thought he'd solve the population problem himself.
It's a tad different than a man of his age setting that same cat on fire, or say, tossing it off a building.

It IS still abuse, but it's not the sort that turns people into nutcases.

[sun]

That's all quite true, in the case of animal abuse (part of the reason the law comes down so hard on it), and I do agree that it deserves our full attention. But I'm not really sure if this was indeed a direct, intended case of animal abuse.
At least, not in the way you're describing it.
I keep thinking that in this case, it was just a misguided guy who honestly wanted to protect the birds and thought he'd solve the population problem himself.
It's a tad different than a man of his age setting that same cat on fire, or say, tossing it off a building.

It IS still abuse, but it's not the sort that turns people into nutcases.

..So he isn't a nutcase eh? Well I looked at the original story, and see that this guy drives a van on a toll bridge, takes out some kind of gun, and starts shooting at some cats on the bridge...I guess the shooter is sane, just cause he shoots cats because he loves birds
..Before we all go off, are there any other kinds of things the guy could have done before shooting the cats?..Hay..he could have fed the cats...let's see... cat food, so they would not have eaten the birds? Simple enough. Oh well, let's think about this...Ok to shoot cats to save birds..No the guy is sane all right..
...What if he had missed the cats and hit a person?? Imagine the day in court..."Your honor, I went out to shoot some cats to save some birds, but missed and hit a person.."........