Dog ownership (or pet ownership in general)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18386963
After reading the above, I wondered what the opinion of others would be on dog ownership. I have long held the belief that it is simply too easy to get a dog (or any other pet for that matter) which in turn IMHO can lead to the levels of irresponsibility that are seen with strays, abandoned animals, mistreated animals and vicous breeds (maybe its just me but I see no reason to wish to own a pit bull other than for its reputation).
I know there are many responsible owners who care for and cherish the companionship of their dog and such measures may make it more difficult for them to get dog, but I suspect they might share my sentiments.
I personally don't like the industry of dog breeding simply for profit, (kennels and the like) but I particularly don't agree that anyone can breed a dog and sell the pups to whoever has the cash. I would like to see careful regulation, restriction of breeds, compulsory chipping AND neutering of all dogs sold to the general public. I know that sounds pretty extreme but cannot see any other solution to the problem.
Less dog ownership all round would work for me. I'm not that worried about the birds.
It doesn't stop with the birds...
Bring back licenses, for all pets and make chipping mandatory for the seller. Bring in stricter laws and punishments for out of control animals and for mistreatment (That would mean actual jail time rather than the current slap on the wrist). I agree cats are a bigger problem, as they are an unnatural predator.
Any stray pets should be taken to a local pound and the owner notified and fined.
However I see no problem in people breeding and selling their animals so long as they stick to the laws.
Unnatural predator?
Cats are not native to the UK. If they weren't "owned" by people there'd be big campaigns to stop this introduced species from wiping out the native wildlife. There's a program to protect native crayfish from introduced american species, but not to protect anything from cats. Ridiculous.
We have two indoor (therefore, bird friendly) Maine Coon cats. Never owned pets before, but these two girls (neutered) are a revelation - so good for reducing City stress levels. One of them even watches England play cricket on the television. Just a view of a cat / dog supporter.
Cats are smug little EDITs.
Somebody made them Gods a few thousand years ago and they've never forgotten that.
I hate them.
(Did PP eat his cat after all? I hope he did. One less.)
Cats are smug little EDITs.
Somebody made them Gods a few thousand years ago and they've never forgotten that.
I hate them.
(Did PP eat his cat after all? I hope he did. One less.)
Well, you've convinced me 
I've never lost a finger due to a cat bite, or got excrement all over me thanks to one.
Well Defra nearly went ahead and started destroying the nests of Buzzards (endangered and indigenous) with shotguns to protect the young of Pheasants (plentiful introduced purely as game). Don't think I would count on the government to do anything logical do do with wildlife without massive petitions demanding so.
I would like to see more people having mongrels. They are healthier, less genetic defects and are smarter to boot.
I'd rather see more controls on cats, 60 million wild birds are killed by cats in the UK every year, that's more than 1 million a week, we're lucky we have any wild birds left in this country.
Talking from experience, it's the female cat that catches the birds & not the male cat.
I'd rather see more controls on cats, 60 million wild birds are killed by cats in the UK every year, that's more than 1 million a week, we're lucky we have any wild birds left in this country.
Talking from experience, it's the female cat that catches the birds & not the male cat.
My other half's daughter has two cats, both males and they both catch birds and anything else they can get their claws into.
Cats are smug little EDITs.
Somebody made them Gods a few thousand years ago and they've never forgotten that.
I hate them.
(Did PP eat his cat after all? I hope he did. One less.)
Well, you've convinced me
I've never lost a finger due to a cat bite, or got excrement all over me thanks to one.
ALL over you? I don't think that's the dog's fault...
I'd rather see more controls on cats, 60 million wild birds are killed by cats in the UK every year, that's more than 1 million a week, we're lucky we have any wild birds left in this country.
Talking from experience, it's the female cat that catches the birds & not the male cat.
My other half's daughter has two cats, both males and they both catch birds and anything else they can get their claws into.
Mine too.
Don't know why we're so worried about dog ownership when *anybody* can have children.
I agree with the OP, it is far too easy to get a dog. My partner and I decided a few months ago that we wanted to get a dog, and one of the places we looked was on Gumtree. Basically, anyone with the cash could get a dog. Sometimes the breeders/sellers were responsible and said they would insist on doing some checks, but more often than not, whoever could pay could get a dog.
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I'd rather see more controls on cats, 60 million wild birds are killed by cats in the UK every year, that's more than 1 million a week, we're lucky we have any wild birds left in this country.
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