Wis. Considers Legalizing Cat Hunting

By The Associated Press

 

MADISON, Wis. - Feline lovers holding pictures of cats, clutching stuffed animals and wearing whiskers faced-off against hundreds of hunters at meetings around 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. If listed as so, the cats could be hunted.

 

 

The proposal was one of several dozen included in a spring vote on hunting and fishing issues held by the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. The results, only advisory, get forwarded to the state Natural Resources Board.

 

 

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, said Kevin Kyle with that state's Department of Natural Resources.

 

 

Every year in Wisconsin alone, an estimated 2 million wild cats kill 47 million to 139 million songbirds, according to state officials. Despite the astounding numbers, Smith's plan has been met with fierce opposition from cat lovers.

 

 

Critics of Smith's idea organized Wisconsin Cat-Action Team and developed a Web site — dontshootthecat.com. Some argue it is better to trap wild cats, spay or neuter them, before releasing them.

 

 

In Madison, about 1,200 people attended the Monday evening meeting at the Alliant Center — more than the 250 or so in a typical year, but less than the 3,000 or so who took part in a debate in 2000 over whether to allow hunters to shoot mourning doves.

 

 

One of the attendees was Katy Francis, who wore cat ears, whiskers, a cat nose and a sign that read, "Too Cute to Kill." For Francis, "The cat hunting thing brought me out because it was very extreme."

Those damn cheese heads :rolly

Only someone with an extremely small penis would think that shooting a defenseless, domesticated animal qualifies as "sport." What a sad, pathetic world we live in. :headshake

 

If someone shot one of my cats, I'd return the favor by shooting one of their children.

That is really, really, really insane. No that's just f***ing stupid.

This is certainly one of the worst ideas I have heard in quite some time...I would be f***ing pissed if one of these morons shot one of my cats.

This is certainly one of the worst ideas I have heard in quite some time...I would be f***ing pissed if one of these morons shot one of my cats.

 

People like that are the reason all my cats are indoor cats.

People like that are the reason all my cats are indoor cats.

My cat's pretty much stuck indoors most of time, except for when he's in the backyard. He can't jump over a fence because he's got a slipped disc in his back near his hip, but we don't let him out the front, because all the other cats will gang up on him.

Maybe they should have it open season on some of these hunters....I think that would be more fitting.

If people would follow Bob Barker's advice ("Help control the pet population - Have your pet spayed or nuetered.") then a proposal like this wouldn't be necessary.

People like that are the reason all my cats are indoor cats.

 

Thats right! Keep that pussy at home!

Thats right! Keep that pussy at home!

 

ROTFLMAO!!!

If people would follow Bob Barker's advice ("Help control the pet population - Have your pet spayed or nuetered.") then a proposal like this wouldn't be necessary.

 

No, these are just idiot backwood hicks who want the authority to take target practice at anything that's below them on the food chain. They're Beavis and Butthead with voter registration cards.

They're Beavis and Butthead with voter registration cards.

Lol!

Yeah I remember hearing about this just a few days ago. I don't agree with it.

No, these are just idiot backwood hicks who want the authority to take target practice at anything that's below them on the food chain.  They're Beavis and Butthead with voter registration cards.

And you know this how? Be careful with that broad brush!

And you know this how?

 

This is how...

 

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. If listed as so, the cats could be hunted.

 

Only a brain-dead hick would push for such legislation.

chinese food anyone

This is how...

Only a brain-dead hick would push for such legislation.

"Domestic" cat doesn't mean some kid's pet. Apparently there's a population problem and they're pushing this as a solution. (I'm not saying it's the correct one) I just think calling these people "idiot backwoods hicks) and "brain dead hicks" isn't cool. I must be in the minority here, so go ahead and be that way. I guess there's a double standard when it comes to some things.

I must be in the minority here, so go ahead and be that way. I guess there's a double standard when it comes to some things.

 

 

You're not.. but some things are just better off being left alone.

"Domestic" cat doesn't mean some kid's pet. Apparently there's a population problem and they're pushing this as a solution. (I'm not saying it's the correct one) I just think calling these people "idiot backwoods hicks) and "brain dead hicks" isn't cool. I must be in the minority here, so go ahead and be that way. I guess there's a double standard when it comes to some things.

 

When someone tries to push legislation to allow someone to legally MURDER my pet, I feel that I have the right to call that person an "idiot backwood hick." Perhaps you feel that you're "above" that. But I already know that you're not a better person than I, so I don't really give a rat's ass about what you think. :finger

When someone tries to push legislation to allow someone to legally MURDER my pet, I feel that I have the right to call that person an "idiot backwood hick."  Perhaps you feel that you're "above" that.  But I already know that you're not a better person than I, so I don't really give a rat's ass about what you think. :finger

Again, this isn't about your pet. It's about strays! And what the f*** is "...you're not a better person than I..." mean? Where did this come from?

Again, this isn't about your pet. It's about strays! ?

 

No, it's not! Read the freaking article!

 

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. If listed as so, the cats could be hunted.

 

Ever heard of an "outdoor cat"? They're not the same thing as a "stray."

 

And what the f*** is "...you're not a better person than I..." mean? Where did this come from

 

It came from your condescending rhetoric.

When someone tries to push legislation to allow someone to legally MURDER my pet, I don't really give a rat's ass about what you think. :finger

 

 

Perhaps you missed it in the article.. but if your cat has a collar and tags - which is should - then you have nothing to worry about.

No, it's not!  Read the freaking article!

Ever heard of an "outdoor cat"?  They're not the same thing as a "stray."

 

 

 

Outdoor cats that are family pets should be wearing collars - just as indoor ones should. To have an outdoor cat without one is irresponsible.

Outdoor cats that are family pets should be wearing collars - just as indoor ones should. To have an outdoor cat without one is irresponsible.

 

Shoot the cats, shoot the hicks...who cares? The Packers still suck.