StahlfeldE at aol.com wrote:
>
> Tweeters:
>
> In the past 3-4 weeks two of my father-in-laws cats have disappeared on Vashon
> Island, compared with none in the previous 20-plus years.
>
> Birds are being blamed, because one disappeared one night, last seen just
> before and in close proximity to where my father-in-law heard a large bird
> flopping around in tall fir or cedar. He suspects the bird grabbed the cat,
> took it into the trees and was struggling with the weight. Because it was
> dark, he could not see the bird, just heard it. Didn't notice the cat had
> disappeared at the time. When second cat disappeared about a week later, when
> that particular cat had survived the woods for eight years, suspicion
> hardened.
>
> My question: Does anyone know what kind of bird would/could kill cats? Both
> cats were fairly large. Suspect bird was hunting at night, suggesting an owl.
> But are there any owls large enough to attack, kill, and eat an adult cat?
> Property is mostly wooded, with primarily cedar, also fir and hemlock, few
> madrona and alder mixed in. Occasionally grass clearings.
>
> I've told him I don't think a bird is responsible, but would appreciate
> comments.
>
> Thanks,
> Eric Stahlfeld
> Burien, WA
> StahlfeldE at aol.com
---------------------

....Great Horned Owls hunt rabbits, ducks, other owls, and even skunks.
Smaller cats have been known to be part of its menu. But, big as the
Horned Owl is, he may have quite a stuggle with a 12-18 lb. cat!!!!!
However, coyotes (plenty of them around here!) would like nothing better
than have a tasty dinner of 'cat'. Coyotes seems more plausible than
owls in this case.

Gerald Hamilton
Brush Prairie, Wash.
gerald at e-z.net