Killer cats cause 1 billion bird deaths

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 12 (UPI) -- Domestic and feral cats kill up to a billion birds in the United States every year, a study shows.

A 2010 study by University of Nebraska Extension researchers found the cats are causing $17 billion in damages to bird-watchers, hunters and wildlife, The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch reported Sunday. The damage figure is based on literature citing that bird watchers spend 40 cents per bird observed, hunters spend $216 per bird shot and bird breeders spend $800 per bird released.

In research conducted by the Smithsonian Institute and Towson University, which tagged catbirds with radio transmitters, 42 of 60 birds died, with 20 of those deaths being attributed to cats.

The Smithsonian and Towson study suggested feline euthanasia may help control the problem. Other experts disagree, however, saying it would be impossible to kill all stray cats. Killing one cat just means "the cats that remain will have access to more food, and their reproduction will increase," said Nancy Peterson, the Humane Society's cat-programs manager.

The Humane Society says the best solution is to encourage people to trap feral cats to be brought in and be neutered, then released, thus keeping the overall cat population down.