I am just furious over what Ann Landers published regarding cats (“Solutions to garden cats crop up all over,” July 15).
Writers complained about neighbors’ cats disturbing their flower beds. Ann published a variety of “solutions” readers sent in, including:
– Painting a cat’s anus with turpentine after trapping it,
– Placing mousetraps around the base of plants,
– Using pepper spray,
– Placing screening under a thin layer of soil so they would snag their claws.
How irresponsible for her to perpetuate cruelty to animals. Turpentine is toxic and animals lick themselves all over. A paw or tail caught in a mousetrap is equivalent to a hunting trap. Pepper spray? Try a dash of that in your mouth. Trapped claws in mesh can be ripped when a cat panics. How would it feel if you ripped a nail from your finger?
I think it’s time to retire Ann Landers. I think she needs to wake up and smell her own coffee!
