Ann Arbor News letter to the editor. The Cat Menace Edition
It seems Victoria Neff has struck a nerve. As you will no doubt recall, Ms. Neff brought to our attention the serious problem of attack cats on bloody rampages through her neighborhood. Her letter in a previous post contained a not-so veiled threat to kill the neighbors cats if they don't keep them inside. Well, it seems Ms. Neff is not alone, as the two letters below demonstrate.
"Cats should be indoor pets or on leash outside
"I have considered many times to write a letter concerning outdoor cats. So I was thrilled, along with my husband, to see the June 20 letter written by Victoria L. Neff regarding the problem Ann Arbor and surrounding areas like Scio Township have with so many outdoor cats. I, too, believe that cats are indoor pets. My husband feeds the birds and squirrels. We will see the neighborhood cats carrying away their kill from our feeders. We've even had to rescue bunnies from these cats.
"Most of these outdoor cats are not neutered or spayed or have current vaccinations. The Humane Society already has so many felines. Due to a rabies issue, some cities have ordinances that any cat outside must be on a leash or you are fined. The article regarding the young boys being bit by a rabid bat is a good indication that maybe this should be considered here. Who knows what diseases these cats are carrying?
"We have two indoor cats. They enjoy and get so excited looking out the window watching the birds or anything that moves. If they do go outside, they are on a leash and always supervised with my husband and me. I think it is very inconsiderate for the pet and the neighbors to allow their animal to roam freely. Hopefully, Ms. Neff's letter along with my letter will bring some awareness of this problem.
Cheryl A. Mullins, Ann Arbor"
Thank you Cheryl. Now to another Cheryl
"Cat owners should follow dog owners' lead
I definitely agree with Victoria Neff in her June 20 letter regarding the problems with neighborhood cats and would like to share a portion of a letter that I submitted to our association on June 8:
"Unfortunately, we can no longer feed the backyard birds, open certain windows or allow our indoor cats on the screened porch in the evening - all due to the aggravating invasion of neighborhood cats. They kill the birds, make our planting areas into smelly litter boxes and are aggressive toward and torment our cats.
"Obviously, cats do what comes naturally; therefore, blame must fall upon the irresponsible cat owners who do not have the decency and consideration to keep their pets off other people's property. I wonder how they (outdoor cat owners) would react to dogs in their yards, killing birds, digging and defecating. The management of an individual's pet is a personal matter until issues arise that affect other people by creating unwelcome and bothersome problems.
"In relatively densely populated residential areas, I feel that cats should be under the same rules as dogs when outside, that is, leashed, on a "tie-out,'' or in a confined, fenced area. This would also provide a much safer environment for the pet. The respect and responsibility that is exhibited by our neighborhood dog owners should be an example for others.
Cheryl A. Navan, Saline"
"Cats should be indoor pets or on leash outside
"I have considered many times to write a letter concerning outdoor cats. So I was thrilled, along with my husband, to see the June 20 letter written by Victoria L. Neff regarding the problem Ann Arbor and surrounding areas like Scio Township have with so many outdoor cats. I, too, believe that cats are indoor pets. My husband feeds the birds and squirrels. We will see the neighborhood cats carrying away their kill from our feeders. We've even had to rescue bunnies from these cats.
"Most of these outdoor cats are not neutered or spayed or have current vaccinations. The Humane Society already has so many felines. Due to a rabies issue, some cities have ordinances that any cat outside must be on a leash or you are fined. The article regarding the young boys being bit by a rabid bat is a good indication that maybe this should be considered here. Who knows what diseases these cats are carrying?
"We have two indoor cats. They enjoy and get so excited looking out the window watching the birds or anything that moves. If they do go outside, they are on a leash and always supervised with my husband and me. I think it is very inconsiderate for the pet and the neighbors to allow their animal to roam freely. Hopefully, Ms. Neff's letter along with my letter will bring some awareness of this problem.
Cheryl A. Mullins, Ann Arbor"
Thank you Cheryl. Now to another Cheryl
"Cat owners should follow dog owners' lead
I definitely agree with Victoria Neff in her June 20 letter regarding the problems with neighborhood cats and would like to share a portion of a letter that I submitted to our association on June 8:
"Unfortunately, we can no longer feed the backyard birds, open certain windows or allow our indoor cats on the screened porch in the evening - all due to the aggravating invasion of neighborhood cats. They kill the birds, make our planting areas into smelly litter boxes and are aggressive toward and torment our cats.
"Obviously, cats do what comes naturally; therefore, blame must fall upon the irresponsible cat owners who do not have the decency and consideration to keep their pets off other people's property. I wonder how they (outdoor cat owners) would react to dogs in their yards, killing birds, digging and defecating. The management of an individual's pet is a personal matter until issues arise that affect other people by creating unwelcome and bothersome problems.
"In relatively densely populated residential areas, I feel that cats should be under the same rules as dogs when outside, that is, leashed, on a "tie-out,'' or in a confined, fenced area. This would also provide a much safer environment for the pet. The respect and responsibility that is exhibited by our neighborhood dog owners should be an example for others.
Cheryl A. Navan, Saline"
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