Man Who Wants To Hunt Domestic Cats Gets Death Threats
POSTED: 6:58 am ES March 11, 2005
LA CROSSE, Wis. -- The Wisconsin man who's asked the state to allow hunters to kill stray cats says he's been getting death threats.
Mark Smith told La Crosse police he's gotten angry phone calls and messages at work and at home.
Police reports said one call made while Smith was working at the La Crosse Fire Department suggested it should be "open season on firefighters." Another woman told Smith that if the state Legislature approved his request Smith would be hunted down and killed.
Smith has asked the Wisconsin Conservation Congress to vote on his proposal at an April 11 meeting. That vote would be advisory. The Legislature would have to consider the proposal before cats could be hunted.
Smith has proposed that any cat not under the owner's direct control or wearing a collar should be considered fair game for hunters with small-game licenses.
Cat enthusiasts are trying to organize opposition to Smith's proposal. Ted O'Donnell, a co-owner of MadCat Pet Supplies, has said the proposal is a "callous response" to the problem of cats preying on wild birds. He recently set up a Web site to inform people about it.
POSTED: 6:58 am ES March 11, 2005
LA CROSSE, Wis. -- The Wisconsin man who's asked the state to allow hunters to kill stray cats says he's been getting death threats.
Mark Smith told La Crosse police he's gotten angry phone calls and messages at work and at home.
Police reports said one call made while Smith was working at the La Crosse Fire Department suggested it should be "open season on firefighters." Another woman told Smith that if the state Legislature approved his request Smith would be hunted down and killed.
Smith has asked the Wisconsin Conservation Congress to vote on his proposal at an April 11 meeting. That vote would be advisory. The Legislature would have to consider the proposal before cats could be hunted.
Smith has proposed that any cat not under the owner's direct control or wearing a collar should be considered fair game for hunters with small-game licenses.
Cat enthusiasts are trying to organize opposition to Smith's proposal. Ted O'Donnell, a co-owner of MadCat Pet Supplies, has said the proposal is a "callous response" to the problem of cats preying on wild birds. He recently set up a Web site to inform people about it.
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