Letter: Feline menace

The Blue Tit population is reported to be in decline and data also suggests a decline in the broader population of birds (your report, 15 September).

This does not surprise me, but what does is the reluctance to mention cats. There are 7.5 million cats in the UK. Of these, approximately 10 per cent live permanently indoors, leaving 6.75m to stalk and kill birds.

Other research revealed that 3,383 birds were killed by 964 cats - more than three birds per cat. If we assume only 5 million cats kill three birds per year, this amounts to 15 million birds every year. That many of these are raising young and the young die of starvation is yet another reason for cat owners to restrict their pets' roving activities. They kill for pleasure, not food.

Cat lovers restricting their cats' outdoor adventures would save millions of birds. It would also please the neighbours in whose gardens the cats persistently foul.

Clark Cross

Springfield Road

Linlithgow