Is it OK to shoot feral cats?

[CTS]

So the local animal control will do nothing and the shelters won't take them and even if they did they would probably just put them down anyway. We have a MASSIVE feral cat problem and it's only getting worse every year. Assuming it's otherwise legal and safe to discharge a firearm, is there any law against humanely killing cats in Indiana/Allen County? (I know I know...I'm a monster...)

 

[phylodog]

Ind. Code § 35-46-3-12 : Indiana Code - Section 35-46-3-12: Torture or mutilation of a vertebrate animal; killing a domestic animal

 

[chezuki]

There may be free TNR (Trap-neuter-return) services in your area. that will cut down on the population pretty quick.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Ind. Code § 35-46-3-12 : Indiana Code - Section 35-46-3-12: Torture or mutilation of a vertebrate animal; killing a domestic animal

so you're saying it's legal?

 

[printcraft]

 

[hoosierdoc]

this is exactly why I click on threads where printcraft is the most recent poster

 

[chezuki]

Ind. Code § 35-46-3-12 : Indiana Code - Section 35-46-3-12: Torture or mutilation of a vertebrate animal; killing a domestic animal

As much as I don't encourage killing feral cats, true "feral" cats by definition are not domesticated.

so you're saying it's legal?

So I guess, "yes".

 

[Tula47]

That's not even nice hahaha

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

[video=youtube;NmXxrMC5Pv4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmXxrMC5Pv4[/video]

 

[Fishersjohn48]

S........S.........S

 

[seedubs1]

They're prey animals. If there's no predators to take care of the population and an adequate food supply, the population will explode. They either need to be neutered so they don't continue to breed, relocated, or put down.

Humane shelters, IMHO, may be worse. They can stay in little tiny dog carrier cages for years and years. I can't believe how many were stacked up in there last time I volunteered. Seemed very cruel.

Personally, I'd put a cat down, give it away on Craigslist, or relocate it before taking it to a shelter. And if I took it to a shelter, I wouldn't take it unless it was a no kill shelter. Taking an animal to a kill shelter is about the worst thing you could do.

 

[CTS]

Ind. Code § 35-46-3-12 : Indiana Code - Section 35-46-3-12: Torture or mutilation of a vertebrate animal; killing a domestic animal

Hey thanks, I was looking for something like that. So my completely uneducated reading of that makes me think that if I'm killing a cat that is "wild" and pretty clearly being destructive to my property I'm in the clear as long as I'm not torturing the thing.

 

[seedubs1]

IANAL, but I believe that is correct after reading IN code. Pretty much, you can kill any animal (including domestic) unless it's endangered if it's destroying property. Using a firearm to kill the animal is typically fine if it's otherwise ok to discharge a firearm.

Hey thanks, I was looking for something like that. So my completely uneducated reading of that makes me think that if I'm killing a cat that is "wild" and pretty clearly being destructive to my property I'm in the clear as long as I'm not torturing the thing.

 

[Mark-DuCo]

Just be sure to yell "ITS COMING RIGHT FOR US!" before shooting, and all will be fine.

[video=youtube;Nt6kKhlX8vU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt6kKhlX8vU[/video]

 

[spencer rifle]

It's always open season on outdoor cats. The amount of native wildlife they kill and often waste is just astounding:
New Research Suggests Outdoor Cats Kill More Wildlife Than Previously Thought

 

[cosermann]

Doesn't the code cited [1] specifically define cats as domestic animals? It that's the case, then "A person who knowingly or intentionally kills a domestic animal without the consent of the owner of the domestic animal commits killing a domestic animal, a Class D felony," unless it is to (among other things), "protect the property of the accused person from destruction or substantial damage."

Anyone know the legal definitions of property "destruction" or "substantial damage," or the case law thereon?

Seems like that's what someone charged with killing a domestic animal would have to prove as a defense.

Just spitballing here.

[1] - Ind. Code § 35-46-3-12 : Indiana Code - Section 35-46-3-12: Torture or mutilation of a vertebrate animal; killing a domestic animal

 

[hoosierdoc]

To me, domestic means cared for in a home environment, not a species thing.

 

[spencer rifle]

Indoor cats live much longer and healthier lives.

 

[seedubs1]

They are technically an invasive species to nature in this area.

It's always open season on outdoor cats. The amount of native wildlife they kill and often waste is just astounding:
New Research Suggests Outdoor Cats Kill More Wildlife Than Previously Thought

 

[Expat]

S........S.........S

This^^^^^^^^^^^