This Morning aired a controversial discussion today (September 27) on a proposal to ban cats. Yes, really.
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The discussion stems from a small village in New Zealand which is floating the idea of banning moggies altogether because of the threat to the local bird population.
To muse on the idea, the ITV show welcomed journalist Sally Jones, who is all for the idea to stem the damage cats can cause to local wildlife… and naturally viewers were very split.
"Perhaps not the entire ban, but what I would like to see is cats prevented from killing birds and small animals that they do," Sally said of proposing the ban in the UK.
She suggested "keeping cats inside, and make sure that feral cats are rehomed or spayed, microchipped etc".
However, Phil noted that there was "no clear significant scientific evidence that that sort of mortality is causing populations to decline", Sally admitting that while cats were beautiful, they were "natural born killers".
Holly noted the relationship with cats have with people, and that they help deal with anxiety, hitting back at Sally's suggestion that we should not let them out, saying "that's nature".
Viewers at home definitely had claws out over the debate, one writing: "This topic on #ThisMorning is really aggravating me. The biggest threat to wildlife is humans, not cats."
"'We need to control where they go' this woman has obviously ever owned a cat," another noted.
However, some were more sympathetic to the idea, though mainly because of cats' toilet habits, one writing: "Ban cats, yes! I get sick and tired of finding cat poo in my garden."
Still, look at that widdle face:
This Morning airs weekdays on ITV.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
