If a neighbor's cat kills wildlife in your yard, would you killing it be justified or unconscienable? And why?

Ethical query. Don't get all upset. just asking for your opinion.If a neighbor's cat kills wildlife in your yard, would you killing it be justified or unconscienable? And why?
For me this is a two part question; first there is the ethical question (the law), and then there is the moral question.





In this case I would presume that the ';hunter'; (the cat killer) would be prosecuted for animal cruelty or the like.





Where as if in your conciseness you value wildlife above that of a domestic animal, the killing of that domestic animal to protect wildlife would be morally correct.





Let us explore an example:





The neighbor鈥檚 cat is killing a species of native ground burrowing birds that are endangered. I would have no choice but to kill the cat, even if it were illegal. It would be morally right, but ethically wrong; morals trump ethics.





I would be careful not to get caught.If a neighbor's cat kills wildlife in your yard, would you killing it be justified or unconscienable? And why?
A cat will kill wildlife because its a hunter and doesnt know what its allowed to kill and what its not allowed to kill. People should take this into account and let the cat be. If you kill it you should feel bad. Talk to the owner about the problem. Besides whats to say another cat won't come along and do the same thing. Get a dog.
No, I don't feel killing the cat would be justified.





Cats are carnivoures. Why kill an animal for being what it is?





We kill thousands of animals everyday. Cows, chickens, sheep and many more. Should humankind be killed for being human?





I would let the cat live. It can't possible kill all of the wildlife. If that's an unacceptable answer, then I would talk to the cat's owner.
I think that you should have the right to kill anything in your yard (property rights) but the wisdom to consider all possible solutions.





The other side of the issue is that you are minding your own business and your neighbors have, through neglect, put you in the uncomfortable position of dealing with an ethical issue that will not make everyone happy.





Good luck.
If you don't warn the owners of the cat, then you would be potentially exposing yourself to a civil law suit. You'll have to check with your local ordinances because these kinds of laws are probably highly dependent on where you live.





One thing you can do that is ethical is trap the cat while it is in your yard, and call animal control. They will come pick up the cat, and deal with it properly by fining the owner of the cat and requiring the owner to keep the cat inside. Upon repeat violations, they can kill the cat.





Try to remember that this is someones pet, and even though it may be annoying you, these people may care a great deal about it. You should be careful to follow things by the book for your own legal protection, and let the authorities do the dirty work for you if it becomes necessary.





=== EDIT ===





Even though you probably have the legal right to kill the cat in a 'humane' way while it is in your yard, this only means you won't get a criminal law suit filed against you. But you are still open to civil law suits, and that can result in a loss of a lot of money and time, even if you win.
I would kill the cat ASAP. I would not hesitate, my conscience would be totally clear.





(Owners of predatory cats should keep a small bell on their collars)
all Cats are Feral their nature is to hunt. As a civilized human it would not only be cruel to kill someones pet it would also be immoral, because you know it is following it's instinct and it belongs to your neighbor. A bell might help warn prey but nature is red in fang and claw.
The cat is doing what's natural, whether it's a chipmunk or an endangered creature, it's not doing anything it knows is wrong and it's not like it's part of some wild cat gang roaming around looking to commit violent crimes.


Talk to the owner if possible. If it isn't or they're not willing to work it out, call Animal Services or rent a humane trap (called a Have a Heart) and catch the cat and drop it off at a humane society.


Please don't do anything cruel or malicious.


Justified or not, you can take care of this in a more humane manner. Good luck.
It's a cat,for god's sake!It's what cats do,you might as well kill a duck for quacking.Get your neighbour to put a bell on it's collar so the wild-life will hear it coming.
killing the cat would be unconsienable because it is the cats nature to kill things and thats how nature is. But the cat is also has an owner, the owner would have to do something about the cat. A person going out of their way to kill a cat wouldnt be so ethical.