A new book throws catnip to the opponents of free-ranging felines, arguing that feral and outdoor domestic cats are tremendously damaging to wildlife, specifically to birds.

Authors of the academic-leaning tome Cat Wars criticize the common practice of trapping, spaying, and releasing unowned cats and write that "we need to act on all fronts to stem the tide." While there is no silver bullet to the problem of too many cats, all avenues should be explored, including euthanizing cats that public health or wildlife officials deem problematic, the authors note.

But that view has some cat advocates howling mad.

Opening with the story of Tibbles, a pet cat that is blamed for the extinction of the rare Stephens Island wren off New