The case for responsible pet ownership, The News, May 24. The article has some merit, but my concern is with the 74 million dogs running wild in North America, or drooling in a house near you.
Dogs routinely and randomly dump feces on private and civic properties. Cats on the other hand, are intelligent, and effectively use a litter box. Many, but not all dog owners, must escort their pooch through city parks and streets with an assortment of kitchen catchers. Ugh!
Dogs bark! All day, all night, and early morning, when irresponsible pet owners throw them out in the street or leave them in back yards with nothing better to do than growl and snap at passersby.
Irresponsible dog owners in the thousands are everywhere. They in fact, are the case for responsible pet ownership. Non-dog owners are the casualties.
Too many dog owners have the attitude that their little mutt can do no wrong: Can bark freely all day if it wishes, and neighbours be damned.
Your bold headline screams of “Cat-astrophic toll.” Yet Guthrie-Corbett should know how many humans end up in hospitals due to vicious attacks from wild or domesticated dogs. I have never heard of a pack of calicos attacking a child.
After living in my neighbourhood for over 10 years, I have yet to hear a barking cat.
Colin Blackburn
