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Alas, Widget the Mothslayer has been blamed for the death of a songbird. I can't remember her ever downing a bird before. Moths, mice and frogs, yes, and even - on one occasion - a Koi Carp which was bigger than she was but never, in nine years, a bird. This seems unfair since there are other cats who pass through the garden and, in any case, even if she is the culprit, it's just nature doing its thing.

Cats cannot be held responsible for their actions, a fact recognised by UK law. This is a concept my ex could not get his silly little head around (and one of the reasons for which I sensibly chose not to have children with him - how they act around animals is a good indication of how they will react with kids). You can rant and rave at a cat all you like. It will not understand you. It cannot speak English for one thing. It cannot be taught not to do something which is in its nature to do. Come to think of it, it cannot be taught to do anything it doesn't wish to do, and cannot even be relied upon to come when called (unless, of course, you give it the name of the sound a fridge door makes when opening).

A cat will not tolerate being admonished. As the t-shirt says, "Thousands of years ago cats were worshipped as Gods. Cats have never forgotten this".

I am sorry for the bird. I like birds. It's tough luck. However, it is not my cat's fault nor, by proxy, mine.

Cat 1, Bird 0. Darwin strikes again.