In the numerous threads in the past on dogs and cats, I've elected to
remain silent, but I guess every dog has his day.......

I think it's fascinating that this city is obsessed with the dog off leash
issue, yet no one seems to get up in arms over cats. Dogs running around
off leash on a lawn in a well delineated area aren't posing a human health
hazard or an ecological problem. (I will agree that dogs
shouldn't be running around natural areas like Magnussen Park or the
Montlake Fill.)

However, cats are running around killing native
birds. And from my own experience and talking with others, the numbers
they are killing are not trivial. If I killed even something so common as
a robin, I'd be in serious trouble, but if a cat does it, well, it's just
being a cat, right?

Furthermore, cats can carry the toxoplasma parasite, which is a very real
human health hazard, for pregnant women and people that have compromised
immune systems. Personally, I think cat owners should be held more
accountable for their cats killing wildlife and should be made to restrict
their cats to their property. (I know, not an easy proposition.)

And I would like to go on the record as saying I love cats and
dogs.....I'm not a pet hater, but I think if dog owners are expected to be
accountable for their dogs' behavior (which they should be) then why are
cat owners exempt?

Mike Donahue