Cat Leash Laws

"My backyard is infested with stray cats. Where I live stray cats are everywhere. They're like maggots. They dig up my precious plants, spread disease, scratch my car, terrorize me and sh*t over everything.... cat leash laws are needed in my area, now.........."


Cat on leash in USA (Philadelphia) - the photographer was shocked to see it. Photo by damonabnormal

The above text is fictional and based on fact. Please discuss. Want to buy a cat leash? Try this: Size Right Cat Harness - Black.

Some pointers:

-- in the United States cat leash laws have been discussed but not yet enacted (as far as I am aware)

-- cats are not that suited to leashes as they require more training than dogs and really need a harness rather than a leash

-- the impracticality of cats on leashes can be gauged by the extremely few cats one sees on a leash although it can be done (see Helmi Flick and an F1 Chausie on a leash)

-- if there are cat leash laws, what happens to the cats (actually the people) who break the law? They'll no doubt get rounded up if they are outside and sent to a cat shelter where they will likely be killed. The cat pays with her life for a misdemeanor perpetrated by the human. Wrong?



-- there is a lot of fiction written about cats killing wildlife. Obviously some wildlife is killed by stray cats but nothing like the numbers quoted by people (experts?) serving their own interests. A classic case is the Australian feral cat problem. See ground shooting of feral cats and Savannah cat ban is wrong.

-- cats should be kept indoors full-time instead? (see cats indoors or out).

-- cats should be "confined" - kept indoors and if let out, then only into enclosures or enclosed gardens - the best solution but not practical for many.

-- cats should only be kept by people who can comply with the confinement principle? This couldn't work because it couldn't be enforced.

-- any laws on cats will be largely ineffective because they will not be adequately enforced. The police don't enforce major laws in the UK (i.e. burglary) and the RSCPA or the US equivalent can't be everywhere.

-- all cats should by law be spayed/neutered and microchipped (to identify ownership - is it safe?) - this is good, I feel, but once again there is simply no political will to do this. It requires too much work and will it work (i.e. can it be enforced?)

-- the solution is education and responsible cat ownership....discuss.

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