PETITION UP: Reptile Keepers Against the Current "Justice of Wilbur Campaign"

[mr gooch]

Originally Posted by KathyM

I wonder whether he will ever accept the fact that his cat would be alive now had he been a responsible cat owner and kept him enclosed. His cat lived to 4, that's a year and a half longer than the average outdoor going cat lives. He was bloody lucky he wasn't run over before, that would've been very likely every time he set out. No doubt he'd be petitioning about the driver being responsible.

He also seems to think his cat's right to wander is protected by law, this is utter rubbish. A cat legally becomes a wild animal with no legal owner (regardless of whether it has a home) every time it leaves its home. If a cat is taken while outside, you can't even do the perpetrator for theft (I know this, we enquired with the police when our indoor cat went missing). He would do better petitioning the rights of outdoor going cats if he believes it's their right to wander unsupervised, don't think he'll find many modern and responsible cat owners agreeing with him. I think if you let a cat out and don't watch it, you accept the fact that they are likely to come to considerable harm and not live as long as a well pampered enclosed cat.

Couldnt agree more KathyM ,

Hit the nail on the head, I dont have any snakes yet but i suppose that is beside the point. Snakes or even all reptiles carry a certain stigma that simple minded people believe that they are savage thoughtless killer cannibals that belong from the depths of hell or wherever they believe they are from. Im afraid that mother nature and the food chain are to blame for dear "wilburs" unfortunate demise. and no amount of pointless laws for snake owners will change what has happened or prevent this happening again without equal responsibility from cat owners aswell, Which i sense there isnt a cats chance in hell, (pardon the pun), of this happening either, Hopefully some cat owners will take heed of this unfortunate incident and take more responsibilty for thier cats surroundings because at the end of the day "wilbur" didnt hold a gun to his owners head to let him out now did he. This idea of a law is completely irrational and thoughtless of the other party. Based on this poin alone uit should be thrown out and the owner banned from owning another pet as he is clearly not capable to take care of one. Sorry my rant over with now.