Are cats loving pets or natural born killers?

I TOTALLY agree with Viscount Monckton: cats are cruel predators and should be muzzled (Mail).

They are subsidised hunters who destroy our beloved wildlife and then return home to a meal and warm bed.

If you have ever found the remnants of a family of song thrushes that had been tormented to death, you would comprehend my point of view.

I don’t understand why cats are allowed to roam when no other domestic animal is permitted this freedom.

I’ve heard the argument that cats are free spirits, but so is every dog, rabbit and goldfish that is kept under control or contained.

My daughter’s house cat is a much-loved member of the family. It never leaves the house without a lead and is a laid-back, healthy and fit animal.

For the sake of our fragile wildlife, keep cats in the home. Or better still, don’t keep cats!

ANITA KNIGHT, Newbury, Berks.

I blame the pet owners

VISCOUNT Monckton admits he does not own a cat and so has no in-depth knowledge of living with these amazing, complex creatures.

He complains that cats cause immense economic damage — but ask a farmer about rabbits consuming crops, or the loss of lambs to foxes. Cats have always been valued as vermin control.

Muzzling a cat is a welfare issue. They would be stressed, their vision would be impeded and, as the whiskers would be covered, they would lose their ability to judge their surroundings.

Cats are predators and will hunt and kill, but the way forward is to educate cat owners to be responsible for their pets. Putting a cat out at night not only hones its hunting skills but puts it at risk. All pet cats should be neutered.

You can keep them safely enclosed in a garden, but they need environmental enrichment if they are not allowed to roam free.