Why do we tolerate birds, but not rats?
03 May 2005, 12:08 PM
#1
Why do we tolerate birds, but not rats?
Aren't most garden birds just flying rats? And when was the last time a rat crapped on your newly washed and waxed pride and joy? And how many rats have you seen destoying plants in your garden, or the vegetable patch?
And yet most people are pleased to see birds in their garden, and would be appalled to see ONE rat!
Birds carry disease, and if one does get into your house, it can, and probably will cause loads of damage..............a blackbird came down my old man's chimney and he ended up having to redecorate the front room
So why do we tolerate them, but hate rats?
Alcazar
Alcazar
And yet most people are pleased to see birds in their garden, and would be appalled to see ONE rat!
Birds carry disease, and if one does get into your house, it can, and probably will cause loads of damage..............a blackbird came down my old man's chimney and he ended up having to redecorate the front room
So why do we tolerate them, but hate rats?
Alcazar
Alcazar
03 May 2005, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by **************
What uneducated tosh 
If I stamp on a bunch of ants nobody cares - cos they're "small" and "insignificant" and you can't see the pain on their face, unlike the fox that appeals to our sensitive side. I'm not pro fox hunting by any means however I find so much of the protest hypocritical.
People really are fickle and bored.
03 May 2005, 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by alcazar
Aren't most garden birds just flying rats? And when was the last time a rat crapped on your newly washed and waxed pride and joy? And how many rats have you seen destoying plants in your garden, or the vegetable patch?
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03 May 2005, 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by **************
What uneducated tosh
No Fox hunting is banned because it's toffs that do it.
Fishing is not banned because it's the prolly's that enjoy it so much.
03 May 2005, 12:24 PM
#11
Originally Posted by Petem95
FFS!! Next you'll be saying why do we tolerate trees because the leaves fall off and annoy you! How about we just concrete over the entire country and eradicate all wildlife?
I'm just interested as to why certain animals have "bad press" and others are not only tolerated, but encouraged.
I know LOADS of folk who put food out "for the birds", but who would be utterly appaled if they thought it was attracting rats.
So why birds, but why NOT rats?
Alcazar
03 May 2005, 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by jasey
No Fox hunting is banned because it's toffs that do it.
"You have a nice house, car, speak properly therefore you are a snob" mentality.
03 May 2005, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by alcazar
I know LOADS of folk who put food out "for the birds", but who would be utterly appaled if they thought it was attracting rats.
So why birds, but why NOT rats?
So why birds, but why NOT rats?
€0.02
03 May 2005, 12:30 PM
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Originally Posted by alcazar
NO, no, no! You misunderstand me. I love animals, wildlife etc.
I'm just interested as to why certain animals have "bad press" and others are not only tolerated, but encouraged.
I know LOADS of folk who put food out "for the birds", but who would be utterly appaled if they thought it was attracting rats.
So why birds, but why NOT rats?
Alcazar
I'm just interested as to why certain animals have "bad press" and others are not only tolerated, but encouraged.
I know LOADS of folk who put food out "for the birds", but who would be utterly appaled if they thought it was attracting rats.
So why birds, but why NOT rats?
Alcazar
Yeah sort of see your point - I think rats have just had a bad press since spreading "the black death" about gave them a bad name!
03 May 2005, 12:30 PM
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We don't tolerate birds, not when they are in numbers and locations that could cause health problems, i.e. when seagulls/pigeons take over towns.
Unfortunately for rats, they tend to fit these criteria more often...
Unfortunately for rats, they tend to fit these criteria more often...
03 May 2005, 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by ajm
when seagulls/pigeons take over towns.
).I'd sooner see a plague of rats that a plague of ****-hawks.
But Rats do seem to get a bad press - Like the original question - not really sure why if you look at their actual behaviour v most garden birdies !
03 May 2005, 01:33 PM
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Rattus norvegicus had absolutely nothing to do with the Black Death!!!
Even Yersinia pestis is looking less like the culprit now, if recent research is to be believed. Another haemorrhagic fever (Ebola-like) is my favourite.
Ratman
MY98 Wagon
Even Yersinia pestis is looking less like the culprit now, if recent research is to be believed. Another haemorrhagic fever (Ebola-like) is my favourite.
Ratman
MY98 Wagon
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