To think cats shouldn’t be allowed out without owners

I live somewhere where the bylaw says that cats who are outside should be leashed. Mind you, I also live somewhere where the wildlife will happily eat cats and small dogs. And, during winter months, the cold would kill them.

Our insect and worm population is being decimated by birds. Without cats who knows how many more insects would suffer. Have you thought of that?

Nuts? Takes one to know one lovey.

That was for @CrownCoats

Yes. I can see birds and mice reduced. It isn't going to affect crops.

Most cats don't "shit everywhere" though. They will bury their poo. If your kids are digging up cat poo, that's your issue to solve. It's your animals running wild there!

I’m genuinely not sure if you’re winding me up or not.

Are you really asking why we should care that our native wildlife is being destroyed by domestic cats?

Why should we care ? Animals are slaughtered all the time

There's loads of ferral cats where I live. They are wild like the foxes! They do a good job keeping the mice and rats down in number.

The reason is that cats are not dangerous to people. Why should any animal be allowed to be outside without a human ?

If you want to make a change to the free roaming law then fill your boots OP. What's stopping you?

I’m not holier than though. I just have a basic grasp of ecology. You clearly don’t like hearing that cats decimate wildlife. I assume you’re a cat owner.

No need for anymore anti-cat threads I’d say 👍
well done ItsDarkNow 😺

A lower court agreed with the plaintiff, the defendant appealed to a higher court and won.

This was in court in Ireland this week!
https://www.thejournal.ie/judge-shown-videos-of-cat-defecating-in-south-dublin-garden-after-neighbours-brought-owner-to-court-6881470-Nov2025/

Hear, hear.
At least cats are useful in keeping rats and mice under control.

I saw a bird kill another bird the other day. We may need to start keeping birds in 🤔 (Ps it was bloody disturbing!!)

Bring back the laughing emoji!!
😁

OP is super defensive.

She might consider how people's tendencies to pave over gardens and plant non-native plants, and extensively spray large monoculture lawns do more than any cat to totally screw up birds. Hedgehogs are decimated by roads and inability to roam, due to replacement of hedges with walls and all the roads. Farmers use November down time to trim hedges, thereby stripping an already industrialised landscape of the winter hedgerow larder that normally feeds birds and shelters them well into February.

Cats are not the problem.

My dd saw someone walking their cat on a lead around a national trust believe it or not (outside) and suddenly became very excited about wanting to do the same for our cat. I can tell you that would not have gone down well with our dear cat.

My cat poops outside, but you wouldn't know she did, she's very tidy and clean.

People who let their cats free roam, bar farm cats, are stupid.
In your opinion.

Personally I think cats have a far more fulfilled life being allowed outside to roam - but, because I'm not a dick, I don't call people like you 'stupid' simply because you disagree with me.

Don't be ridiculous. Im not aware of The Dangerous Cats Act. Never seen a cat in a muzzle. HTH

People who let their cats free roam, bar farm cats, are stupid. Poisonous plants, rat poison, loose dangerous dogs, cruel people, cars accidents (and not so accidental running over), cat fights, list goes on.

It's cruel. Yes, the cat wants to roam - your toddler also wants to roam, and run across the road without warning, and stick his/her fingers in the plug socket. You don't let them do any of those things, because it's dangerous.

Dogs also want to roam. We don't let them do it, because it's dangerous... A caring dog owner wouldn't dare let their dog roam the roads.

I love cats and couldn't really care much less about them shitting in the neighbours flower beds (care a bit more about them pooping in places a neighbours kids could get, that's not really fair ofc). But whilst I lack care for my neighbours, I care a whole lot for my cat lol.

I keep them inside, but have put up a "catio" attached to the house in the garden so they can play, sunbathe, eat grass. They have an indoor litter tray and outdoor litter tray. Have cat mint growing out there too.

My cat used to be an outdoor cat when I lived with parents, and has the scars to show for it. He is much, much happier and settled now. Used to be an angry growly thing, now he's a total love bug and very settled.

The reason the law is different around cats is because they weren't really considered pets the same way dogs are. They are considered, at most, property. They're legally allowed to roam because for a long time, they were just around for mousing.. And thought of as they may as well be wild. Now we have cats the same way we have dogs, even though we don't have a rat problem, the law should change and there should be some standard of responsible cat ownership.

You'd never get my cat on a lead though. Maybe my next one will.

Really not funny. It happens in dog fighting circles, surely you know that?
Yet another reason why I have a catio/enclosed garden for my cats and dogs.