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Pets
Topic Started: Jan 24 2009, 10:54 PM (206 Views)
ghengis_khan
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Could I ask everyone to keep an eye on their pets, especially Rabbits etc. I have just today run over someones Rabbit, this is the second time in the last few months a mishap like this has occurred
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vlad_the_impaler
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Without being disrespectful to your posts but could we have some more positive points.
Maybe reccomendations or possible solutions to these problems would help and may generate more people to join in the discussions!!

Some of your posts are like the Sunday morning papers, full of doom and gloom.
The fighting spirit of yesteryear seems to have deserted the modern era.

A possible solution is to perhaps cut your speed!! You are most likely travelling too fast into the estate to see any possible hazards.

This may raise a discussion on the possibility of speed humps being installed on the estate.
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ghengis_khan
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I think you will find that wild rabbits can runs at speeds upto 25 mph, which is course is well below a cheetah that can achieve speeds of upto 75mph, so I assume their domestic cousins would achieve similar speeds, I certainly do not drive at speeds near 25 mph within the estate.

I was merely pointing out that pet owners needs to be more responsible in securing and housing their pets, as should parents to ensure their children do not urinate on others property and ruin items such as Patio sets.

Cheers
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vlad_the_impaler
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I think you'll find your comparison between wild and domestic rabbits is a little way off target. There has been so much interbreeding between the domesticated rabbit that hardly any links can be drawn. The RSPCA published a paper in 1992 highlighting, amongst many other things, the widening gap between the wild and 'house pet' varieties. This paper was revised in 2001 and the conclusion drawn from this report stated that '...there could be no confident correlations made between wild and household varieties within the last 15 generations of rabbits.'
This revised paper ran to 672 pages and went into much detail, through the research carried out, but the chasm between the two varieties couldn't have been clearer. Needless to say the last report commissioned, as recently as 2007, was shelved as the lack of comparisons were clear for all to see.

The point I'm trying to make is the household variety move much more sedately than a wild rabbit and therefore are more visible over a set period of time, thus proving my point that your driving must be too fast giving you less time to see the obstacles in front of you.

You may want to cast a thought to the probability that it isn't children urinating on your property but the adult pet owners of the estate who are fed up of your constant speeding, terrorising their poor innocent pets!!
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ghengis_khan
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It is clearly not the case that wild rabbits are more agile than their domesticated cousins. Anyone who knows their salt (or rabbits in this case) would know that the European Rabbit suffered a decline in numbers in the late 70's due to not only decreasing farmland and the building of large estates but also as a result of diseases such as Myxomatosis and Coccidiosis. After the introduction of the American Cotton Tail rabbit, the population in GB soared to levels, way in excess of historic numbers.

The American Cotton Tail Coney is largely regarded as speediest of all Leporidae and extremely swift. The modern domesticated Rabbit is close relative of this 'infestation' and thus speeds of 25mph would be easily reached.

I would point out that while many would regard my Zafira as a high powered vehicle it is in no way able to accelerate to speeds in excess of a rabbit in such short distances.

I would further remind all pet owners to ensure animals are secured throughout the day and not left to roam the streets, where they merrily urinate on peoples gardens, that is if their the kids haven't got there first.

And while were at it, I will be forced to take matters into my own hands if I catch another cat defecating in my Gardening Wellies


Edited by ghengis_khan, Jan 26 2009, 07:19 PM.
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vlad_the_impaler
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Maybe it's my age or I'm missing the point completely but I am puzzled by your argument.

The original observation of mass Myxomatosis, or Myxo, in 1950's Europe was partly due to the deliberate introduction of the disease in Australia to cull the ever increasing numbers of wild rabbits. Due to the 'wild' element of these animals a controlled breeding program was impossible and so due to numbers reaching mass proportions the disease was introduced.

However, domesticated rabbits can be controlled through breeding programs due to the obvious involvement of breeders, ie humans!
Whilst the full scale introduction of the disease in France was partly accidental in 1952, the disease found it's way to our shores and was actively encouraged by some to cut down on numbers in the countryside.

HOWEVER, and this is where I struggle with your argument, there was no need to cull the domesticated variety for obvious reasons as mentioned above. And before people start getting on their soapboxes telling me that the disease could spread to all domesticated rabbbits well lo and behold, there is a vaccine to prevent this happening!!!

As with any other pet, proper care of the animal will ensure their well being (unless you drive a Zafira) and ensuring that pet rabbits are kept free of fleas, which carry the virus, the animals should be ok.

You would also like to know that the domesticated rabbit isn't as quick or agile as the wild variety due to it's surroundings. It's stamina levels aren't as high and also the cuddly pet variety carries more weight than it's wild cousin due to the fact it doesn't have to escape the clutches of predators on a regular basis, a gentle plod around a 'run' in someones back garden hardly recreates the rigours of living in the wild.

You mention your vehicle is a 'high powered' Zafira. Unless you have the GSi model then it beggars belief it's high powered. I also can't recall seeing a GSi model on the estate. And whilst we're on the subject it would indicate to myself that owning a Zafira points to a family person (kids with pets) or a DIY enthusiast. If my observations point to the former then may I suggest you get your own house in order before criticising other people who may be innocent!
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ghengis_khan
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I am not sure 'cuddly pet variety' is an accurate description of the modern breed of rabbit. I am also not sure that your rather long winded explanation is relevant to measurement of speed and the fact that my car may or may not hit such an animal.

I have recently sold my car hence the fact that you may no longer see it around the estate. I am slightly perturbed that you seem to have nothing better to do than watch the coming and goings of people and that you seem to be keeping a detailed log of which vehicles they drive on a daily basis!!

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vlad_the_impaler
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Firstly my 'long winded explanation' isn't mean't to be relevant to speed, it's relevance relates to your original post PETS!!

And secondly my observations on the comings and goings of people on the estate should be applauded. It has probably escaped your notice but we have a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme operating on the estate and people like myself can offer a valuable service to people such as yourself by keeping an eye on people/strangers entering the estate.
Building up a detailed knowledge of who's who on the estate can protect people and property from harm.

Maybe if more people adopted this attitude we wouldn't have the problem of 'kids' urinating on your precious patio set!

It appears the younger people of today don't know the meaning of gratitude.
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