It was a Sunday morning when I heard my mailbox snap shut.
Was it another Amazon package I ordered that I didn’t need?
It was, in fact, a City of Prince George letter informing me that a neighbour of mine, somewhere, is trapping cats that venture into their yard.
Personally, I love that our yard is a safe cat-inclusive space but I understand that some people don't. My problem is in the way they are being caught and the non-enforcement of how they will be treated once they are caught.
Cats have fourteen times the power of smell than humans. What is this neighbour using for to lure cats in? With the pungent smell of tuna fish, in the air, even my beautiful elderly black cat could be baited from her favourite spot in her garden. Does the city monitor what is used in these traps?
The letter also had language about how a captured feline should be treated. Unfortunately, people are not always diligent, especially when they are angry at what they are after. Not being monitored gives them added incentive to do what they like with the cat, rather than taking time and trouble to deliver them to safe authorities.
Forgive me for being cynical, but human beings are not always the kindest of species, especially when they feel they have nothing to lose. Cats are beautiful animals and their effect on the environment is benign compared with the human-induced smoke ridden air we now call the new normal.
People have a right to their yards but they don't have a right to bait our pets and do what they wish to them. I understand the city is at least trying to enforce my somewhere neighbour to be humane but I'm afraid there needs to be a lot more oversight by the city to ensure our pets are treated with respect.
Tiger Thakkar
Prince George
