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Bird Expert Convicted in Cat Poison Bid

Researcher wrote on the feline menace to birds

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2011 3:19 PM CDT

(Newser) – A Smithsonian bird researcher has been convicted of animal cruelty after she tried to poison the local cat population. Nico Dauphine, 38, was caught on a security tape standing in front of a bowl of cat food outside a DC apartment building, the Los Angeles Times reports. She said she was just getting rid of the food to keep strays away, but prosecutors said Dauphine—who has penned papers on cats’ threat to birds—was dropping rat poison into the food, which was never eaten. She has resigned from her Smithsonian job at the National Zoo and faces up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

A bird researcher has been found guilty of attempted cat poisoning. (Shutterstock)

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Showing 3 of 67 comments

Gart

Nov 4, 2011 10:05 AM CDT

How is this even a debate? It's not about cat people vs bird people. Nobody is even saying keep your cat indoors.. Just put a bell on it if you let it outside because it's destroying the native bird population as it is not a native predator in north america.

fractal

Nov 4, 2011 1:17 AM CDT

Spudsy is correct. Domesticated cats are not native to North America, and are wiping out millions of birds, American songbirds, especially, which nest in low bushes. Our bat population is currently being decimated, and if you kill the birds too, the bugs will take over!!!! Seriously. I have three cats of my own, but I keep them in the house. Reluctantly.

SPHeroid

Nov 3, 2011 11:06 PM CDT

Let's see if I have this correct... Cat owners contend that if their cats can't be outside they (the cats) will go crazy... I've lived with cats and can attest that that statement is not true... By this same logic, all dog owners should be free to let their pets out to run free everyday... That ought to put an end to the bird vs. cat problem....

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Bird Expert Convicted in Cat Poison Bid

Researcher wrote on the feline menace to birds

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

birds • animal cruelty • poison • Smithsonian • National Zoo • cats • strange stuff

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