The problem is so bad that the European Union has approved the rarely-permitted tactic of burning the fields. Burning has begun in the Valladolid area of Castilla-Leon region and is expected to begin soon in Avila, Palencia and Segovia.
In spite of the similarity in the name, the plague of voles is not known to be related to the recently well publicized battles with Voldemort. Besides, Voldemort was reptile, not rodent. Still, one needs to ask the real question today on a cat-blogging Friday - where in Hell are Spain's cats?
A massive increase in mouse-sized rodents would appear to be a major picnic for cats in any country. So where are the Spanish cats?
Those of us with a house cat at home know that cats consider themselves to be aristoc[r]ats, but have they gone Republican on us and quit working for a living? Are they all indoors laying around waiting for the next refilling of the cat-food bowl? Purring for their kibble and stroking instead of doing honest work?
I know that good mousers have to be trained as kittens by the mother cat. Is there a shortage of mother cats training kittens? Does the European Union need to declare total war on voles, then draft some mother-cat mousers as drill sergeants and send Europe's draftable kittens to them for basic training on a mass basis?
Where in Hell are Spain's cats when their country and their farmers really need them? It would be more than just patriotism. More than just every cat at the service of his or her country in its time of need. It would also be cat-appropriate fast food.
Or should we just give up on cats? Are they useless as anything except fat purring status objects for households with bloggers and cat-lovers?
If the latter is the case, then my suggestion is that we draft terriers. My White West Highland Terrier (Westie) didn't even need to be trained to 'remove' the mouse he trapped on our kitchen floor. Two-steps, a quick muzzle-snap-and-a-shake and he presented a limp, dead mouse. No blood. No bait needed, either.
And pleased? That terrier was so proud of himself that for nearly two weeks he would present his head for petting if you even looked at him. Why bother a bunch of aloof, lazy fat cats? Terriers were bred for the job and they love it.
Spain needs to quickly raise and organize an army of terriers.
See also:
- Rodent ruining crops in Spain agriculture
AP Thu, Aug. 09, 2007 - Spain wields weapons on rodent plague
AP Tue, Aug. 14, 2007
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