Gareth Morgan wants your cat dead

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2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#748908 22-Jan-2013 15:33

ubergeeknz:
Klipspringer:
ubergeeknz:
NZtechfreak: Credible idea and about time someone had the gumption to eschew political correctness on this issue and say what needs to be said.

Credible how? How about dogs then, as well? Since they do more damage to native wildlife than cats anyway?

No they don't.

Dogs are not allowed to run around where they like, they generally have to be kept on leads.

That's a gross generalisation. In suburban areas, maybe. Rural? You know, where bush and native birds tend to live? Not so much. Having cats registered and neutered, I totally agree with. Banning them? Insane notion.

So dogs do more damage to wildlife that cats? Can't say I agree with that statement.

Cats have the ability to get into areas which are inaccessible by dogs, ie birds nests up trees etc ..

SaltyNZ

8227 posts

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2degrees

Lifetime subscriber

#748909 22-Jan-2013 15:35

JokezNZ:

I think of all the problems of having my cat inside over night, and of someone late at night chasing around their cat outside to try get it inside. How is this by-law even monitored?

Now think of that accompanied by Yakkity Sax and you'll know why it's funny.

iPad Pro 11" + iPhone 15 Pro Max + 2degrees 4tw!

These comments are my own and do not represent the opinions of 2degrees.

ajobbins

5052 posts

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#748914 22-Jan-2013 15:37

I do suspect that he is quite aware that his view is both extreme and unrealistic.

I suspect he understands that this kind of statement provokes discussion and while he could never get us to give up pet cats, he may get some traction with some people and reduce the domestic cat population by some amount. While I think he's dreaming, I think he has some tact here.

Twitter: ajobbins

Klipspringer

2385 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#748916 22-Jan-2013 15:41

ajobbins: I do suspect that he is quite aware that his view is both extreme and unrealistic.

I suspect he understands that this kind of statement provokes discussion and while he could never get us to give up pet cats, he may get some traction with some people and reduce the domestic cat population by some amount. While I think he's dreaming, I think he has some tact here.

Have to say I agree..

End result, maybe cats don't go. But council bylaws are put into place for people to keep their cats under control.

heapsort

245 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#748920 22-Jan-2013 15:43

Story immediately brought to mind an old classic from The Onion:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/kitten-thinks-of-nothing-but-murder-all-day,9783/

BlueShift

1692 posts

Uber Geek

#748923 22-Jan-2013 15:45

So the basic concept that GM is starting from is that Native Birdies = Good.
Not that I disagree, I've spent the night on Tiritiri Matangi, and the dawn chorus there is spectacular.
But, he's taken a good idea, found part of the cause of the problem, and has now expanded fixing that part of the problem into an entire solution.

To get the bird population on Tiri back where it is, they had to get rid of ALL predators, and the most pernicious of them was the rat. They got rid of everything from mouse up to goat in size - ferrets, possums, the works. Then, they regenerated the native bush, pretty much from scratch (the island had been farmed previously, then was a Sally Army rehab unit), then they started reintroducing the birds.

Removing cats from the equation in NZ would most likely have a positive effect on the native bird population. Unfortunately it would also have a positive effect on the rat and mouse population. It would take a reasonable amount of research to find out if the gain in number of rats & mice would outweigh the gain in bird numbers.

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#748924 22-Jan-2013 15:46

Perhaps he is confused about which birds he is protecting.

His Phoenix team need to eradicate other prey first.....

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ajobbins

5052 posts

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#748925 22-Jan-2013 15:46

heapsort: Story immediately brought to mind an old classic from The Onion:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/kitten-thinks-of-nothing-but-murder-all-day,9783/

And this:

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/cats_actually_kill

Twitter: ajobbins

clevedon

1059 posts

Uber Geek

#748935 22-Jan-2013 15:53

ubergeeknz:
NZtechfreak: Credible idea and about time someone had the gumption to eschew political correctness on this issue and say what needs to be said.

Credible how? How about dogs then, as well? Since they do more damage to native wildlife than cats anyway?

Righto, where did you pick that bit of credible local info from about dogs?

1.4 million cats and around 0.5 million dogs in NZ approx, and not many of those dogs can climb anything more than steps.

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

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Vocus

#748936 22-Jan-2013 15:56

clevedon:
ubergeeknz:
NZtechfreak: Credible idea and about time someone had the gumption to eschew political correctness on this issue and say what needs to be said.

Credible how? How about dogs then, as well? Since they do more damage to native wildlife than cats anyway?

Righto, where did you pick that bit of credible local info from about dogs?

1.4 million cats and around 0.5 million dogs in NZ approx, and not many of those dogs can climb anything more than steps.

Quite right, I have no sources. Where is the source data for the native wildlife being killed by cats vs dogs?

mattwnz

20155 posts

Uber Geek

#748938 22-Jan-2013 15:57

Humans have caused far more damage to the earth and far more extinction to animals than cats. Plus many cats live in suburban areas well away from any native bird life, and many people keep them in anyway. I don't have a problem with them killing introduced species because they can basically be rats with wings, and cats keep the numbers down. But perhaps some laws around reserves isn't a bad idea.

So does he also think that humans should consider whether we should breed or not, or perhaps one child per family, to reduce human impact on the earth?

rossmnz

507 posts

Ultimate Geek

#748940 22-Jan-2013 16:00

I think that before we take this drastic step we need to exterminate all maori, after all they killed the Moa - NZs greatest native bird!

Perhaps when these bloodthirsty killers are all exterminated we can bring the moa back to life and make NZ a massive, jurassic-park like country!

The force is strong with this one!

MikeB4

18435 posts

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#748941 22-Jan-2013 16:00

Gareth Morgan silly idea number 25647787.

mattwnz

20155 posts

Uber Geek

#748959 22-Jan-2013 16:16

KiwiNZ: Gareth Morgan silly idea number 25647787.

It does make me wonder what having heaps of money can do to someones perspective. Normally though I have heaps of respect for him and his ideas, but I think he is way off the mark on this one. Rabbits, possums, hares stoats etc cause far more damage to NZs environment,

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#748960 22-Jan-2013 16:17

JokezNZ:
ajobbins:
JokezNZ:
ajobbins: many parts of Australia also have by-laws requiring cats be kept inside at night.

I find this rather funny.

How so?

I think of all the problems of having my cat inside over night, and of someone late at night chasing around their cat outside to try get it inside. How is this by-law even monitored?

Just like our dogs, we keep out cat inside at night, its not difficult, dirt box and food in the laundry. Its easy to grab as the bastard is always meowing for food it doesnt really want. I would happily shoot it to save the problem but sleeping on the couch for the rest of my life doesnt appeal.

Dont think it makes any difference though, I check the lawn every morning and not a kiwi to be seen.

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