By The Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. - Feline lovers beware.
Wisconsin to voice their opinion on whether to legalize cat hunting.
Residents in 72 counties were asked whether free-roaming cats — including any domestic cat that isn't under the owner's direct control or any cat without a collar — should be listed as an unprotected species. Meaning they can be hunted.
Statewide results were expected Tuesday.
La Crosse firefighter Mark Smith, 48, helped spearhead the cat-hunting proposal. He wants Wisconsin to declare free-roaming wild cats an unprotected species, just like skunks or gophers. Anyone with a small-game license could shoot the cats at will.
At least two other upper Midwestern states, South Dakota and Minnesota, allow wild cats to be shot — and have for decades. Minnesota defines a wild, or feral, cat as one with no collar that does not show friendly behavior.
Every year in Wisconsin alone, an estimated 2 million wild cats kill 100 million to 139 million songbirds, according to state officials. It has become just to costly to catch and put down all the wild cats roaming the streets and parks.
Critics of Smith's idea organized Wisconsin Cat-Action Team and developed a Web site — www.dontshootthecat.com Some argue it is better to trap wild cats, spay or neuter them, before releasing them.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Spexvet
:angry:
Bookmarks