hanno wrote: ↑Thu Apr 20, 2023 3:05 pm Whoever thought that was a good idea:

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/20/worl ... index.html

John Bingham wrote: ↑Thu Apr 20, 2023 4:40 pm

”Encouraging kids to hunt down and kill animals is a sure-fire way to raise adults who solve problems with violence … We need to foster empathy and compassion in kids, not lead them to believe animals are ‘less than’ humans while rewarding them for brutality.”

What a load of bollox. No empathy or compassion for native animals, just soppy "cute kitten" garbage.

In neighboring Australia, authorities say feral cats threaten the survival of more than 100 native species. Feral cats are blamed for killing millions of birds, reptiles, frogs and mammals, every day, prompting authorities to arrange regular culls.

violet wrote: ↑Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:54 pm No one ever mentions that dogs also kill wildlife. In Australia they kill native snakes and attack koala.

Actions like those in NZ perpetuate hatred of a species. That leads to an emotional coldness where some people think it’s absolutely fine to have cats abused rather than humanely killed.

Random Dude wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:45 am

violet wrote: ↑Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:54 pm No one ever mentions that dogs also kill wildlife. In Australia they kill native snakes and attack koala.

Actions like those in NZ perpetuate hatred of a species. That leads to an emotional coldness where some people think it’s absolutely fine to have cats abused rather than humanely killed.

Wild dogs aren't really an issue in NZ. Pet dogs can be an issue in places where ground-nesting native birds are breeding, but owners are expected to keep their pets under control in those areas. People who let their dogs roam at night can be a problem because they attack farm stock, but when they start doing that they either get shot by a farmer, or the dog's owners are told very bluntly to keep their dog under control.

I personally haven't seen any evidence of pest control perpetuating hatred of a species, or an emotional coldness. In NZ goats, pigs, deer, possums, rabbits, ducks, geese, and carp are all regularly culled by hunters and feral cats have been fair game for anyone hunting rabbits or ducks for probably decades now - everyone knows the damage they're doing to the native bird life.

violet wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:49 am

Random Dude wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:45 am

violet wrote: ↑Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:54 pm No one ever mentions that dogs also kill wildlife. In Australia they kill native snakes and attack koala.

Actions like those in NZ perpetuate hatred of a species. That leads to an emotional coldness where some people think it’s absolutely fine to have cats abused rather than humanely killed.

Wild dogs aren't really an issue in NZ. Pet dogs can be an issue in places where ground-nesting native birds are breeding, but owners are expected to keep their pets under control in those areas. People who let their dogs roam at night can be a problem because they attack farm stock, but when they start doing that they either get shot by a farmer, or the dog's owners are told very bluntly to keep their dog under control.

I personally haven't seen any evidence of pest control perpetuating hatred of a species, or an emotional coldness. In NZ goats, pigs, deer, possums, rabbits, ducks, geese, and carp are all regularly culled by hunters and feral cats have been fair game for anyone hunting rabbits or ducks for probably decades now - everyone knows the damage they're doing to the native bird life.

I’m ok with humane killing of an animal such as feral cats.

I’m in Australia - I have read many comments on social media that spew hatred about cats as a species - any cat.

Freightdog wrote: ↑Fri Apr 21, 2023 3:06 am Most pet issues arise from an ignorant pet owner base. I don’t see how encouraging animal control through children killing them as a competition does anything to educate about responsible pet ownership and control. I do see how it might very easily be abused and misused, and thus endorse animal cruelty.