CATS: Trapping is toxic

I have a question for all of my fellow outdoor cat owners and citizens alike. Is it fair for someone to relocate a domesticated cat by trapping?

I have lived in Coeur d’Alene since 1987, almost all of my life, and have been an Idaho born resident for all of my 44 years. During this time, I have had 1-3 indoor/outdoor cats at a time. In 2019, my family began to experience animal cruelty from our neighbor over our cats and it has continued randomly throughout the years as recently as this Memorial Day weekend, all because my cats roam looking for squirrels, birds, bugs, and other critters they enjoy watching and understandably try to catch.

My cats are always well fed, neutered and vaccinated, but they might use a flowerbed for a restroom despite having their own litter boxes inside and outside. I believe when a cat gets trapped by a human being for this natural behavior, a whole new dynamic begins for the neighborhood. It’s toxic. We have explored several options over the years to keep the cats in, and we deterred them from roaming as best we could. We never intend on having a cat here again after 4+ incidents. I would prefer to see people who harm animals go to jail where they belong.

JUSTIN TAYLOR

Coeur d’Alene