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.

Raggamuffin wrote:Veya, you are clearly mad, and you sound like an animal abuser. It's a good job we have laws in the UK to prevent people causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

Raggamuffin wrote:

veya_victaous wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:

If someone's dog got hold of my cat, I might be forced to harm the dog in order to protect my cat.

And if someone's dog was in YOUR yard you'd be perfectly entitled to, I'll do you the courtesy of doing my best o keep my dog out of your yard... and in a perfect world cat owners would do the same   

It wouldn't matter where the dog was. If it was in someone else's garden, I'd still protect my cat. They should keep their dog under control at all times.

veya_victaous wrote:

Raggamuffin wrote:
Veya, you are clearly mad, and you sound like an animal abuser. It's a good job we have laws in the UK to prevent people causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

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A Concerned Environmentalist Trying ....................

veya_victaous wrote: