| If you are reading this article in the hope of | | | | home, especially at night. If you observe one of |
| gaining some knowledge about the proper thing to | | | | these wild animals at work, notify local law |
| feed your pet, then I apologize. I'm afraid I have | | | | enforcement,who will in turn either take matters |
| deceived you. This article is not about food for | | | | into their own hands or contact the proper |
| pets, but rather pets as food. Before you call | | | | agency. |
| PETA to report me, let me explain. | | | | For the most part, these predators stay away |
| As we continue encroaching on the natural | | | | from humans, but there have been several |
| habitats of many predators including but not | | | | instances of humans being attacked and this trend |
| limited to cougars, coyotes, bears and alligators, | | | | seems to be increasing. Mountain lions seem to be |
| we put our pets in more and more danger of | | | | especially prone to attacking humans if they are |
| becoming a quick, convenient meal for one of | | | | suffering from hunger and are particularly |
| these predators. As more and more pets | | | | dangerous. If pets have been disappearing from |
| mysteriously disappear without a trace, there is | | | | your neighborhood, be extra cautious when going |
| not any evidence of some sort of conspiracy or | | | | for that run along a wooded trail. |
| alien abductions. But there is a lot of evidence that | | | | As we continue looking for new areas in which to |
| hungry predators, whose natural habitats are | | | | build our homes, we can expect to see more and |
| being destroyed by humans, are venturing closer | | | | more problems from predators. A dog or cat can |
| and closer to our homes and neighborhoods in | | | | be an easy meal for a predator used to hunting |
| search of food. They aren't doing this by choice | | | | wild game. Domesticated animals do not stand a |
| but rather by necessity. | | | | chance against such professional hunters. If you |
| Before you begin your own vigilante squad and go | | | | choose to live in one of these areas, such |
| in search of one of these predators, keep in mind | | | | predators will simply be a part of life with which |
| that most jurisdictions have ordinances that | | | | you must deal. Keeping your pets close to home |
| prevent you from using firearms or poisons to kill | | | | and making sure they are never left alone will be |
| predators. The best bet is to first protect your | | | | your best bet for keeping them from becoming |
| pets by not letting them venture away from | | | | pet food. |