Randy
Man is the first and foremost danger to any native wildlife. We have destroyed habitat and killed animals to extinction.

But talk to any wildlife biologist or Fish and Game officer and they will tell you that the largest problem with native predation, is feral animals. Whether it be cats, dogs, zebra mussels, retics, hogs, etc. etc. Introduced species have no niche in the native ecology. They mostly have no natural predators to keep them in check and spread disease. Sure out here in the country, I see an occasional coyote, but this is a native animal. And there are not nearly as many coyotes as there are feral cats and dogs, especially around the urban areas of America. There are estimates that number the feral cat population in the U.S, at around 65 to 100 million cats!!! If you dont think these cats are creating problems, then you are gravely mistaken. They not only kill birds, amphibians, reptiles, insects and small mammals, but they outcompete other wildlife as well. Raccoons, oppossums, fox, coyotes, larger snakes and even the bobcat!! So they are having a serious detrimental impact on the native wildlife from the apex predators all the way down to the feeder animals!! It is a large problem that legislature is having a hard time dealing with. You know why?? Because you have all these animal rights acitivists screaming animal cruelty if animal control officers shoot a feral cat! People need to get their priorities straight and put their energy towards something that really matters. Prserving our native wildlife, not a bunch of feral cat and dog populations!!!


"Since invasive species have a tendency to have a negative impact on native species should it be illegal to keep any species in captivity outside their natural geographic range? Some people believe this and using your argument they could make a valid point."

It is a federal law that makes it illegal to release any exotic species. This is in place just because of what is going on now with FL and other places. Here in northern KY and in southern OH, we have what is called the Wall lizard. It is a species from Italy that was brought here decades ago. Some of them got loose and are thriving. They are pushing out the native lizards and skinks and outcompeting them. Another invasive exotic species.


"I have never seen any studies that implicated cats feral or otherwise as being as significant a detriment to native species of wildlife the way introduced species and even collectors have been. As a predator a cat will not take the healthier stock the way collectors will. I am not saying feral animals are not a matter of concern but it does not appear they are that significant for the issues cited. This is also true when it is considered that natural predators have been diminished in many areas from human activity."

With all due respect, you must not have done much research. Why do you think that a couple of states are working on legislation to put cats on open season? Here in KY we have a "Keep your cat indoors" day along with educational programs to help try and educate cat owners on the destruction cats are wreaking on native song birds. Cats have been linked to the decline of native song bird populations across the U.S.

Many states are working on legislation to halt the practice of managing "free ranging cat colonies". This is mostly due to the high numbers of native species in decline in those areas. How can you spay and neuter a feral cat, and then release it back into the community?? A person who does this is actually breaking the law in many cities/counties. Although most law enforcement turns a blind eye, because these organizations are supposedly "helping" control the population. However, most studies show that this just has not been working. We all know how fast cats breed, and they produce sizeable litters. Also, most people who own cats let them roam free, and you have hundreds of people who acquire cats every year. These cats are mostly not spayed or neutered and are allowed to roam free. Look in the classifieds any given day under the free section. There are more cats advertised than any other item. Why?? Because 90% of cats are allowed to free range, breed, and produce more cats. The owners either give them away, or allow these to free range as well, and therein lies the problem. People do not keep their pets under control.



Cats usually kill just for the sport of it. Most cats are fed at home and are allowed to free range. I have caught a couple stalking birds at my feeders. I have chipmunks that sit on my front porch and feed, and my 16 month old son loves to watch them. But then you have a cat come into the yard and chase the birds or squirrels and chipmunks. Sometimes they will climb the trees in an effort to catch them. I also have rabbits, deer and turkey that frequent my yard. Do I want cats killing the rabbits and chasing the turkey chicks when hatched? Nope, thats why I will kill them when I see them in my yard. They do not belong in the native ecology, period. They belong to a person, and that person should be responsible enough to maintain that animal under proper control at all times, and not allowing it to free range.


"I do not know the laws in your specific community but it is usually illegal to shoot domestic type animals like cats and dogs. People in rural areas often have cats and these typically are not house cats. If you want to cite the law it is more often legal to kill reptiles on your property than cats or dogs."

If an animal is predating on your property, you have the right to destroy that animal in the state of KY. I have called the local sherrifs office and asked specifically about feral cats and dogs. I was told that if they are on your property and doing damage to private property, posing a threat to pets or family members, or predating native wildlife, then they can be destroyed. This does not mean torture, but a quick death by gunshot is legal.


I would like my children and my childrens children to be able to enjoy our native wildlife as much as I have throughout my life. And if it means killing feral and exotic introduced species to make this possible, then I will do all I can to ensure this.
Brian






>>Your heading implied I was trying to bait you into a response. That is why I responded the way I did.
>>
>>I do not know the laws in your specific community but it is usually illegal to shoot domestic type animals like cats and dogs. People in rural areas often have cats and these typically are not house cats. If you want to cite the law it is more often legal to kill reptiles on your property than cats or dogs.
>>
>>Consider this: If the issue is predation on native wildlife by animals that do not or should not interact with the eco system then it should be illegal for people to use wc amphibians and reptiles as food for captives. This is of course not uncommon.
>>
>>Since invasive species have a tendency to have a negative impact on native species should it be illegal to keep any species in captivity outside their natural geographic range? Some people believe this and using your argument they could make a valid point.
>>
>>I have never seen any studies that implicated cats feral or otherwise as being as significant a detriment to native species of wildlife the way introduced species and even collectors have been. As a predator a cat will not take the healthier stock the way collectors will. I am not saying feral animals are not a matter of concern but it does not appear they are that significant for the issues cited. This is also true when it is considered that natural predators have been diminished in many areas from human activity.
>>
>>So the issue is predation on native wildlife. There are multiple perpetrators of said predation identified. We have singled out a single perpetrator that is not under most situations that significant of a perpetrator. We have labeled our opposition to this one perpetrator as intolerance. We have ignored more common and problematic perpetrators of the discussed predation. This is unreasonable as it is disconnected from the actual issue of predation. Prejudice is defined as unreasonable feelings, opinions or attitudes.
>>
>>Bottom line: You have cited an important issue but appear very biased and selective in your intolerance to the various causes.
>>-----
>>Randy Hallman
>>Firehouse Herps


-----



RATS
1.0 Corn snake "Warpath"(KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Great plains rat snake "Reign Fire" (TX locale)
1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Yellow rat snake "Wolverine" (Dwight Good stock)

RACERS
1.0 Eastern Yellow Belly racer "Nightcrawler" (MO locale)

KINGS
1.1 California king snake "Bandit" & "Moonstar" (Coastal phase)
1.1 Prairie king snakes "Bishop" & "Askani" (KY locale)
0.1 Black king snake "Domino" (KY locale)
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "Psylocke"
0.1 Florida Kingsnake "Shard"
0.1 Speckled Kingsnake "Haven" (MO locale)
2.0 Eastern kings

MILKS
2.0 Eastern/red Milk intergrade "Cable" and "Omega Red" (KY locale)

BULLS/GOPHERS/PINES
0.1 Sonoran Gopher "Husk"
1.0 Kankakee bull (Phil Peak stock)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

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