Oxford scientist warns of 'drastic action' if neighbours allow cats to roam and kill birds

An Oxford University educated research chemist has issued his cat-owning neighbours with leaflets warning them of "drastic action" if they continue to let their animals roam free and kill the birds in his garden.

Dr Clive Mowforth claims he has received arson threats in response to the leaflets after he told owners they should control their cats and stop letting them roam free to "murder" dozens of birds in his specially redeveloped garden.  He sent out the angry leaflets, complete with photos of the two "leading killers" and three dates detailing when the latest birds were killed. The leaflet is addressed to "cat menace" and has been posted to more than 100 homes.

Neighbours living in the street said they are concerned for their cats' safety and have been upset by the leaflet.

“In the last week alone, cats have killed a jackdaw, a blackbird and a house sparrow,” said Dr Mowforth. “I was watching the sparrow whilst eating my dinner. She was sat quietly enjoying the food in the evening sun when a cat leapt right onto the shoulder-height table, grabbed the bird and ran off. This was the final straw.”

The 57-year-old said he has spent more than 10 years converting the garden at his Gloucestershire home into a “paradise for birds” and set up video surveillance when he noticed how numbers had fallen and how many were being killed.  He has sent local households in the village of Dursley pictures from video footage of the worst offenders and said he has identified 10 'killer cats' in the area.  Dr Mowforth claimed complaints had been made to the police and RSPCA about him, adding "the extreme elements within the pro-cat brigade have threatened arson."

"The bird table has been put away until the first set of deterrents is in place.  I don't see why I should have to pay to protect the birds in my garden from cat-owners who simply let their pets roam free. If a dog went into a neighbour's garden, dug holes, left excrement and killed wildlife, all hell would be let loose.  I expect to have to spend hundreds of pounds over the coming months."

Dr Mowforth, who has a BSc in Chemistry from Exeter and a DPhil from Oxford University, claims he used to see lots of birds in his garden but the numbers have decreased as the local cat population has risen.  He said up to ten different cats visit his garden day and night, and estimated the bird murder-rate at about one per month.

He added: "I have spent over a decade converting my garden into a paradise for birds. But despite being close to woodland I see few birds these days and those that do venture to my lawn, pond and bird table run the risk of being killed by cats.  Changes in agriculture and habitat loss have had a dramatic effect on bird numbers but locally cats can also have a big influence." He added: “In the longer term there needs to be a widespread neutering campaign to bring down the size of the enormous cat population."

The "final straw," Dr Mowforth, said was when he was sitting in his garden eating dinner and a cat jumped on to his bird table and killed a goldfinch. He now says he could be forced to move if the killing does not stop.  He said: "This could now push me out of my house. I'm about to retire and I want to be able to enjoy my garden."

Amanda Woods, 39, who has two cats in the street, said: "There is nothing you can do to stop your cats going in other people's gardens - unless you have house cats. One of the cats is my nine year old son's cat and he got really upset when he saw the letter. We all got leaflets through the door, it's all over Facebook. If he doesn't like cats in his garden there are things he could do about it. He could just spray them, or set up sprinklers. It's harmless and it means they won't come back.  My neighbour thought about taking the leaflet to the local police station, I'm not sure if he has yet.  If they don't take it to the police I'd happily do it myself."

As well as the 26 neighbouring houses on Dr Mowforth's street, the letters have also been put though the doors of adjoining streets.  One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, was shocked when she noticed her cat was one of those pictured. She said: "Everyone in the street got one of these letters through the door.  I was actually quite shocked when I saw it. My cat is actually pictured on the front of the leaflet. I think the whole thing is a bit like Crime Watch for cats, it all seems very petty. I was actually really concerned when I read the bit about him taking 'drastic action' against the cats.  I don't know what it could be but it certainly sounds very worrying - I'm sure the RSPCA would be interested to hear about it.  I haven't bothered confronting him because I don't want to cause a big argument but I know he has upset a lot of people."

The RSPCA declined to confirm if any complaints had been made but said they were not investigating any claims in the area. Gloucestershire Police said there did not appear to be any instances of arson threats recorded.

feelthelove wrote:

An Oxford University educated research chemist has issued his cat-owning neighbours with leaflets warning them of "drastic action" if they continue to let their animals roam free and kill the birds in his garden.

Dr Clive Mowforth claims he has received arson threats in response to the leaflets after he told owners they should control their cats and stop letting them roam free to "murder" dozens of birds in his specially redeveloped garden.  He sent out the angry leaflets, complete with photos of the two "leading killers" and three dates detailing when the latest birds were killed. The leaflet is addressed to "cat menace" and has been posted to more than 100 homes.

Neighbours living in the street said they are concerned for their cats' safety and have been upset by the leaflet.

“In the last week alone, cats have killed a jackdaw, a blackbird and a house sparrow,” said Dr Mowforth. “I was watching the sparrow whilst eating my dinner. She was sat quietly enjoying the food in the evening sun when a cat leapt right onto the shoulder-height table, grabbed the bird and ran off. This was the final straw.”

The 57-year-old said he has spent more than 10 years converting the garden at his Gloucestershire home into a “paradise for birds” and set up video surveillance when he noticed how numbers had fallen and how many were being killed.  He has sent local households in the village of Dursley pictures from video footage of the worst offenders and said he has identified 10 'killer cats' in the area.  Dr Mowforth claimed complaints had been made to the police and RSPCA about him, adding "the extreme elements within the pro-cat brigade have threatened arson."

"The bird table has been put away until the first set of deterrents is in place.  I don't see why I should have to pay to protect the birds in my garden from cat-owners who simply let their pets roam free. If a dog went into a neighbour's garden, dug holes, left excrement and killed wildlife, all hell would be let loose.  I expect to have to spend hundreds of pounds over the coming months."

Dr Mowforth, who has a BSc in Chemistry from Exeter and a DPhil from Oxford University, claims he used to see lots of birds in his garden but the numbers have decreased as the local cat population has risen.  He said up to ten different cats visit his garden day and night, and estimated the bird murder-rate at about one per month.

He added: "I have spent over a decade converting my garden into a paradise for birds. But despite being close to woodland I see few birds these days and those that do venture to my lawn, pond and bird table run the risk of being killed by cats.  Changes in agriculture and habitat loss have had a dramatic effect on bird numbers but locally cats can also have a big influence." He added: “In the longer term there needs to be a widespread neutering campaign to bring down the size of the enormous cat population."

The "final straw," Dr Mowforth, said was when he was sitting in his garden eating dinner and a cat jumped on to his bird table and killed a goldfinch. He now says he could be forced to move if the killing does not stop.  He said: "This could now push me out of my house. I'm about to retire and I want to be able to enjoy my garden."

Amanda Woods, 39, who has two cats in the street, said: "There is nothing you can do to stop your cats going in other people's gardens - unless you have house cats. One of the cats is my nine year old son's cat and he got really upset when he saw the letter. We all got leaflets through the door, it's all over Facebook. If he doesn't like cats in his garden there are things he could do about it. He could just spray them, or set up sprinklers. It's harmless and it means they won't come back.  My neighbour thought about taking the leaflet to the local police station, I'm not sure if he has yet.  If they don't take it to the police I'd happily do it myself."

As well as the 26 neighbouring houses on Dr Mowforth's street, the letters have also been put though the doors of adjoining streets.  One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, was shocked when she noticed her cat was one of those pictured. She said: "Everyone in the street got one of these letters through the door.  I was actually quite shocked when I saw it. My cat is actually pictured on the front of the leaflet. I think the whole thing is a bit like Crime Watch for cats, it all seems very petty. I was actually really concerned when I read the bit about him taking 'drastic action' against the cats.  I don't know what it could be but it certainly sounds very worrying - I'm sure the RSPCA would be interested to hear about it.  I haven't bothered confronting him because I don't want to cause a big argument but I know he has upset a lot of people."

The RSPCA declined to confirm if any complaints had been made but said they were not investigating any claims in the area. Gloucestershire Police said there did not appear to be any instances of arson threats recorded.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11021590/Oxford-scientist-warns-of-drastic-action-if-neighbours-allow-cats-to-roam-and-kill-birds.html

How on earth do you stop this unless you keep your cat inside?!  I guess if you really do care about the declining bird population you wouldn't encourage them to come to your garden to face the attack of the kitty cats

As a cat owner previously it used to break my heart when they caught birds but you can't stop them, it's in their nature.  

Perhaps Dr Mowforth should consider getting a dog

harvesmom wrote:Cats don't come into my garden anymore since Harvey gave one a lesson he won't forget   I think he must have told all his mates in the Street to give my garden a wide berth

Nems wrote:

harvesmom wrote:Cats don't come into my garden anymore since Harvey gave one a lesson he won't forget   I think he must have told all his mates in the Street to give my garden a wide berth

Can I borrow him?!

harvesmom wrote:

Nems wrote:

Can I borrow him?!

I'll send him over    Mind you he doesn't come cheap!

Nems wrote:

harvesmom wrote:

I'll send him over    Mind you he doesn't come cheap!

Would a whole chicken do it I know he is partial?!

harvesmom wrote:

Nems wrote:

Would a whole chicken do it I know he is partial?!

He'll do anything for a bit of chicken will Harve, typical male thinks of his stomach first   

feelthelove wrote:I don't know Victor, he might be fun to "mess" with a little

victorisnotamused wrote:

feelthelove wrote:I don't know Victor, he might be fun to "mess" with a little

As I told him

I can put up with your insults, I can live with your noise, I can even make allowances for your drunken yob of a son....
BUT....mess with my pets and I will show you a level of crazy that will make your worst nightmares seem a good place to be.......  

Nems wrote:I hate cats they poo in my garden and torment my Molliemol  

nicko wrote:Any one who doesn't like cats has a wiring fault in their brain!

captainJane wrote:We have a real bad cat around these parts and I am afraid it will be teaching a couple more cats to do the same. It has been offered several homes, and it is fed a few times every day. It is not killing for hunger and sometimes it just wants to make a creature suffer.. I am hoping to get chickens by next year and if this prat of a cat remains I do not fancy my chances. The foxes does the odd killing but they at least eat their occasional prey and the various people in the neighbourhood help out. In a real dilemma and thinking of catching this cat and dropping it into a local shelter. Or over the cliff if it keeps on crossing my path.    

harvesmom wrote:Cats don't come into my garden anymore since Harvey gave one a lesson he won't forget   I think he must have told all his mates in the Street to give my garden a wide berth

Raggamuffin wrote:

harvesmom wrote:Cats don't come into my garden anymore since Harvey gave one a lesson he won't forget   I think he must have told all his mates in the Street to give my garden a wide berth

Harvey is a dog, right? A certain person elsewhere thinks Harvey is a teenager.

I don't hold with dogs chasing cats tbh as they could hurt a cat or even kill one.

Raggamuffin wrote:

harvesmom wrote:Cats don't come into my garden anymore since Harvey gave one a lesson he won't forget   I think he must have told all his mates in the Street to give my garden a wide berth

Harvey is a dog, right? A certain person elsewhere thinks Harvey is a teenager.

I don't hold with dogs chasing cats tbh as they could hurt a cat or even kill one.

Ben_Reilly wrote:

captainJane wrote:We have a real bad cat around these parts and I am afraid it will be teaching a couple more cats to do the same. It has been offered several homes, and it is fed a few times every day. It is not killing for hunger and sometimes it just wants to make a creature suffer.. I am hoping to get chickens by next year and if this prat of a cat remains I do not fancy my chances. The foxes does the odd killing but they at least eat their occasional prey and the various people in the neighbourhood help out. In a real dilemma and thinking of catching this cat and dropping it into a local shelter. Or over the cliff if it keeps on crossing my path.    

Funny how cats toy with their prey, isn't it? It doesn't seem natural; quite sadistic.

There is an actual issue here, though. Cats are the world's number-one predator (I mean domestic housecats!) in terms of how many other animals they kill. Right now, of course, in urban settings, they have lots of prey and very few (if any) predators or other checks on their population.

I saw a documentary about the future of Earth if we keep going the way we are now. A naturalist said, "If you like cats and rats, you'll be in luck because they'll be pretty much the only non-human species that survive besides insects."

Frankly, I thinking we're just ushering in the new bug kingdom. Cockroaches are bad-asses compared to us; if they can survive nuclear war, they deserve this planet ...

eddie wrote:Hey harves! Does your teenage son eat all the dog biscuits in your cupboard?
Bloody kids!  ://?roflmao?/: 

Perhaps Doug is really a cat?

feelthelove wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Funny how cats toy with their prey, isn't it? It doesn't seem natural; quite sadistic.

There is an actual issue here, though. Cats are the world's number-one predator (I mean domestic housecats!) in terms of how many other animals they kill. Right now, of course, in urban settings, they have lots of prey and very few (if any) predators or other checks on their population.

I saw a documentary about the future of Earth if we keep going the way we are now. A naturalist said, "If you like cats and rats, you'll be in luck because they'll be pretty much the only non-human species that survive besides insects."

Frankly, I thinking we're just ushering in the new bug kingdom. Cockroaches are bad-asses compared to us; if they can survive nuclear war, they deserve this planet ...

I caught my cat playing with a mouse once, it was screaming    However, a couple of weeks later a huge seagull came down and stole a mouse from my cat, he was petrified.  I never saw him with a mouse again after that and when he was sleeping outside he would sleep just under the edge of a plant so he wasn't visible from above.

I think he was expecting further aerial attacks   

Original Quill wrote:

feelthelove wrote:

I caught my cat playing with a mouse once, it was screaming    However, a couple of weeks later a huge seagull came down and stole a mouse from my cat, he was petrified.  I never saw him with a mouse again after that and when he was sleeping outside he would sleep just under the edge of a plant so he wasn't visible from above.

I think he was expecting further aerial attacks   

I laughed out loud reading this.  My Beau (boo) would have snatched that gull out of the air and et him, too, thank you very much.  Bad-ass kitty.

If you are worried about songbirds, get rid of hummingbirds.  Those cute aerobats are much more responsible for driving away all the songbirds than the kittys.  Vicious little bastards.

Nems wrote:Im with the cat on this one. Biggest shite hawk I ever saw stole my lolly ice in Universal Studios. I was traumatised for  week

Raggamuffin wrote:Phil is claiming that harvesmom has colluded with eddie to pretend that Harvey is a dog.   It was me who said he was a dog - I remember HM saying so a while back.

harvesmom wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:Phil is claiming that harvesmom has colluded with eddie to pretend that Harvey is a dog.   It was me who said he was a dog - I remember HM saying so a while back.

   He's not right in the head. He is mainly ignored over there so he comes over here and copies posts just for attention, adds a few Boy George videos and passes out again   

Ben_Reilly wrote:
Funny how cats toy with their prey, isn't it? It doesn't seem natural; quite sadistic.

There is an actual issue here, though. Cats are the world's number-one predator (I mean domestic housecats!) in terms of how many other animals they kill. Right now, of course, in urban settings, they have lots of prey and very few (if any) predators or other checks on their population.....................

Raggamuffin wrote:Phil is claiming that harvesmom has colluded with eddie to pretend that Harvey is a dog.   It was me who said he was a dog - I remember HM saying so a while back.

eddie wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:Phil is claiming that harvesmom has colluded with eddie to pretend that Harvey is a dog.   It was me who said he was a dog - I remember HM saying so a while back.

Erm right.
Everyone knows harves is a dog   

Raggamuffin wrote:

eddie wrote:

Erm right.
Everyone knows harves is a dog   

Well yes. If I knew it, I'm sure everyone else did too.    Phil thinks poor Harvey should be given a good thrashing.    

Raggamuffin wrote:

eddie wrote:

Erm right.
Everyone knows harves is a dog   

Well yes. If I knew it, I'm sure everyone else did too.    Phil thinks poor Harvey should be given a good thrashing.    

harvesmom wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:

Well yes. If I knew it, I'm sure everyone else did too.    Phil thinks poor Harvey should be given a good thrashing.    

And he thinks he should go to Doggie prison too    He has made a right fool of himself over there, I'm sure one of them will read this and pull him up on it.

Nems wrote:

harvesmom wrote:

And he thinks he should go to Doggie prison too    He has made a right fool of himself over there, I'm sure one of them will read this and pull him up on it.

Im still giggling over the fact he thinks your son chases cats!!!

harvesmom wrote:

Nems wrote:

Im still giggling over the fact he thinks your son chases cats!!!

I know, my teenage son as well!!!! As if I'm old enough to have a teenage son anyway  ::dunno:: 

Nems wrote:

harvesmom wrote:

I know, my teenage son as well!!!! As if I'm old enough to have a teenage son anyway  ::dunno:: 

The very idea!