LETTER | There has been so much talk of stray animals of late. Most are centred on the dog species as they are the ones found loitering out in the open.

The other strays that are seldom in the “limelight” are cats. They are no better than the dogs when it comes to being a nuisance to the residents in the urban community.

Cats pose a problem for those living in landed properties.

Every other morning without fail to one’s dismay, one will notice their faeces greeting you in your garden. The culprit would have gone amiss.

Once they have defecated at a certain spot in the garden, they will keep coming to that area to repeat their actions due to the strong odour that they have left behind.

The cats are actually being reared by the neighbours. They have this peculiar habit of not doing their easing exercise in the house that they consider their home.

Instead, they have the audacity to do so in their neighbour’s compound. How annoying can it be!

One has tried scattering certain pellets on the garden area where they frequent. These pellets carry a strong odour that is supposed to act as a repellent.

Intelligent animals

However, these cats are too smart. They will find a new spot to defecate.

To ward off any untoward misunderstanding with the neighbours, it is only proper that the owners of the cats be more responsible and proactive so as to see to it that their cats are toilet trained from young.

In this way, they won’t pose a nuisance to the neighbourhood.

In a nutshell, rear cats only if you are accountable for their actions.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.