I agree, lack of predators has created problems in some areas. Hunting is legal in most states for animals such as squirrels, rabbits, coyote etc. Trapping is also still legal in many states. In urban areas where overpopulation of rodents such as mice and rats are a problem, they can be trapped and disposed of humanely. Overpopulation of rodents is in response to the human condition not a natural occurrence.
OK — I can conclude from your posts that this guy popping cats is not a problem for you.
I repectfully disagree.
Selfish though it may be, I prefer cats to birds. I had a discussion recently where I postulated that if some one bought into Darwinistic Theory completely, that the most successful adaptation an animal can have nowadays is value to people. If an animal is delicious, pretty, has useful or decorative skin/fur, or is just cute and cuddly than it will not go extinct. People will make an effort to keep that species going. Just the opposite effect will happen for an animal that competes for with people for food, eats us or the animals we eat, stinks, looks ugly, or otherwise pi$$es us off — that animal will be exterminated at any opportunity.
Perspective is what wins I suppose — I have been jammed up for donations by people that want to “save the elephants” and I have talked with people that have elephants living near to them that believe they are the scourge of the earth and should be killed on sight. < shrugging >
I like cats better than birds. But I know that Chickens and Ducks will never be endangered and I would further state that if I depended on chickens for my livelihood, I would probably not want cats in the vicinity.