Issues surrounding the humane dispatch of feral cats and other mammals
From The Times 2/8/01
Full story below |
Mammal surveys indicate that in addition to some 9-13 million domestic cats there are some 800,000 feral cats (domestic gone native) at large in Britain. Professor Stephen Harris's JNCC related research suggests that the numbers of feral cats greatly exceed the populations of other harmful predators like the fox and badger(1), as well as the threatened hare. Cats without bright coloured reflective collars and bells(2), which cannot be identified as pets are legally shot, or shot at, with shotgun and rifle as predators by land custodians. This is because hungry cats inflict a devastating toll on millions within a wide range of wildlife, particularly songbird and ground nesting bird populations. Victims are tortured and murdered. Encouraging more responsible cat ownership and a significant reduction in cat numbers is a primary issue for Government. Education, training and the removal of irresponsible gun use, rather than the gun user, is an essential practical welfare, and environmental priority(3). The shotgun and rifle are by far the most common first choice of the RSPCA in dispatching other similar sized mammals despite overwhelming scientific and practical welfare evidence that there are much kinder methods, which avoid suffering from wounding. These alternative measures are unique in reducing overall suffering by being selective as well as providing the means to disperse the healthy, follow up or find the sick, wounded and other casualty animals.
|
Archie the cat survives shotgun pelletsA pet cat which was riddled with 50 shotgun pellets has astonished with the speed its recovery.
Experts held out little hope for two-year-old Archie after he was left for dead by his attacker.
The black tom is now blind in one eye and faces having one of his legs amputated He is also at risk from lead poisoning but his owner Yvonne Price, 51, is hopeful he will pull through.
She said: "When I first saw him at the vets I just burst into tears. He looked so poorly.
"They told me it was touch-and-go but then Archie is such a little fighter that he just wouldn't let go."
She continued: "I just think whoever did this needs to be caught and made to understand the vileness and cruelty of what they have done.
"Archie has never hurt anyone and for someone to shoot him like this and leave him for dead is just disgusting. I just can't imagine who would do something like this to an innocent cat - it's sick."
Police and RSPCA officials were yesterday still hunting the thug who targeted him near his owner's home in Bakewell, Derbyshire. Archie had been missing from home for a week when Mrs Price was told by a neighbour that a cat had been found with serious injuries. It is thought he was shot at point-blank range. Police and the RSPCA are still hunting the person who carried out the attack in Bakewell Derbyshire. RSPCA inspector John Preston said Archie was extremely lucky to surive, especially as he was shot so many times and sustained such terrible injuries.
"It was a despicable and ruthless attack on a defenceless animal. My priority now is to find who did it and make sure it doesn't happen again."