Unbelievable statistics about those killer cats
The opposite to the scientific method is to first draw a conclusion, then find data to support it.
I think that may have been the case in “Control your cat to save birds” (letters, May 19), where we are told that, in Canada, between 300 million and 400 million birds are killed by cats annually.
300 to 400 million! Think about it: that’s around one million per day, a billion every three years. Are there enough small birds in Canada to sustain this slaughter? I think that, at that rate, we would have run out of birds some years ago.
I recently read an article in the Guardian, called “Meaty meals and play stop cats killing wildlife,” about a scientific study done in the United Kingdom, the premise being to understand why some well-fed (but not all) housecats hunt.
Their estimate was that cats kill around 100 million animals annually in the U.K., of which 25 per cent are birds. Canada’s human population is about 55 per cent that of the U.K., so assuming that the cat and kill ratios are about the same, that would be about 14 million birds killed in Canada.
About 66 per cent of the animals killed were small mammals, so it’s inarguable that if there were no outside cats, there would be a population explosion of rats and mice.
Feral cats are a problem, as they have to hunt for a living. Many well-fed housecats don’t bother hunting, and those that do often are too lazy to bother anymore once they’re about five years old.
Stephen Pierrot
Saanich
Arson in Vic West brings sleepless nights
The person from the homeless shelter in Vic West who has been accused of arson does indeed need “complex-care housing.” It’s called “jail.”
While the 29 other people in the shelter “had a good night’s sleep because housing was available to them,” the neighbours living around the facility probably have said goodbye to having a good night’s sleep.
Arson is a crime, with potentially deadly results.
Ingrid Olson Mercer
Victoria
Disregard and contempt from City Hall
Grant McKenzie, communications director for Our Place, says he is “extremely disappointed” by the arson in Vic West, adding the usual and predictable afterthought that safety is a top priority.
B.C. Housing tops that tired cliche by thanking neighbours for their patience.
Notably absent is any expression of sympathy or concern for the victims and potential victims of this arson; not the owners of the building, nor those who work there, nor those who could have been residents in the house, nor the neighbours who were endangered, nor the firefighters who risk their safety and their lives in dealing with this dangerous and potentially lethal crime.
It is unlikely that anyone who has followed the news in this city the past few years could have failed to notice the increase in crime, not infrequently violent, that centres around these shelters and squatters camps.
It is telling that City Hall reacted quickly to evict tenters from Centennial Square when the usual criminal activity took place on its doorstep, while tolerating the same activities in other camps and shelters.
Honeyed words and mission statements do not create a safe environment where those in genuine need are helped and their neighbours can live in safety. Instead, the very real concerns of many of the citizens of Victoria are treated with disregard and contempt.
Ian MacDonell
Victoria
Unease after arson fire, and the accused is out
Like many readers, I’m sure, I was dismayed to read about the arson in Vic West last Saturday.
It sends a troubling message to residents in the neighbourhood about the kind of people who will be staying at a shelter recently established in the area.
It’s the last thing deserving people in the shelter need for them to gain confidence and acceptance from nearby residents considering that the arsonist happened to be one of them.
The Times Colonist headline said there was “unease” after the incident. Yes, there certainly must have been that.
But I wonder how many others were shocked to read that the person arrested for having committed the crime was almost immediately released with a court date!
Surely he should have been retained in custody and only released if bail had been set for about $400,000 — the estimated damage to the building set on fire.
The man lost the place he had in the shelter — fair enough — so we may presume that he is once again homeless. But just how much assurance is there that he is even going to show up for his day in court? What were they thinking?
Barry Gaetz
Victoria
Taxes go up, up, up as council solves everything
Well, it’s that time of year to quietly mention the annual lie drivelled out by Victoria city council.
My taxes for a single-family dwelling went up more than nine per cent this year, in keeping with the usual hikes perpetrated by the bunch around the table.
I know this is boring, especially to the near half of council who don’t live in the city to pay taxes. They just get their paycheques, free lunch and the other perks to stroke their egos, and far be it from them to try to be honest about the tax gouge as they’ve got a million fanciful lines to explain it, but that doesn’t help the homeowner come up with the actual dollars.
At least they have solved the housing crisis, rents, unemployment, environment, traffic and, oh yes, world peace.
Patrick Murphy
Victoria
After one sighting, will there be another?
Re: “A thrilling sighting of a Richardson cyclist,” letter, May 19.
I was really glad to hear about the bicycle on Richardson Street. Glad to know that the bike lane wasn’t a complete waste of money. I haven’t seen one yet but will keep an eye out for it.
David Jack
Victoria
Homeless preferences seem to matter more
I am struck by the weight given to the “preferences” of homeless people when decisions are made about moving them from campsites to accommodation in supportive housing.
Some of those living in tents in parks have clearly stated their preference for remaining where they are. In deferring to their wishes, the authorities responsible claim to be exercising compassion.
It seems to me they are carrying out a one-sided exercise in enabling antisocial behaviour.
We all have preferences. Most taxpayers would prefer to see city funds go towards maintaining parks rather than the added costs of remediation following damage done by campers.
Most would prefer to see government money invested in affordable housing rather than the extra budgets needed for police and bylaw officers and garbage collectors to ensure parks are safe for all users.
Most would prefer simply that our parks remain places for recreation and conservation rather than having parts of them privatized by campers.
I wish our city councillors would extend a little more of their compassion to a wider public and follow the idiom recorded in John Haywood’s Dialogue of Proverbs (1546): “Beggars can’t be choosers.”
Eric Grace
Victoria
Drag racing has come to Saanich
It was interesting to read the letter regarding the speeding drivers who were apprehended by the Oak Bay police on the Oak Bay strip of Cedar Hill Cross Road.
Living on Shelbourne Street just above Cedar Hill Cross Road, my neighbour and I have called the Saanich Police on more than one occasion due to the roaring of seriously speeding cars going past our building on what has now been designated as a route for “drag racing” by a small group.
I realize that COVID has caused people to find new hobbies, but this one is dangerous and noisy and to date we have not seen a response from our local police force.
Bev Ashforth
Saanich
First, identify the needed outcomes
In his Sunday column, Lawrie McFarlane raises concerns that it appears increasingly difficult to rein the fiscal profligates who manage our decreasing resources.
Difficult it may be, but it would be at least possible if they started by identifying needed outcomes rather than desirable inputs.
John Appleby
Duncan
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