However, dismissing me as a troll is convenient for you, as it lets you side step the argument of your own hypocrisy.
The accusation of hypocrisy is a fail, because it's based on the equivalence of putting a catflap in a garage door with hunting foxes with dogs. Clearly absurd.
I don't see why it's absurd.
You procured two predators, and introduce them to the wild i.e your garden. There they chase and kill smaller animals. This is entirely within your control in that you can either not let them into the garden, or alternatively not own cats. Furthermore, when your garage becomes infested with unwanted vermin, (possibly a safe haven from the said cats) you encourage the cats to access the garage by installation of a cat flap. If a mouse was in there at any time it is likely to be chased out or possibly killed.
Now explain how, in practice, that is different from a huntsman procuring two hounds and encouraging them into a covert. If a fox is in there at the time it is likely to be chased out, or possibly killed.
Both involve actively owning predators and encouraging them into an environment where you suspect unwanted (to you) prey may be.
So far all we have is you don't do it for fun, and "I regretted any possibility that harm might occur, and went out of my way to minimise the risk of that. The objective, as I wrote before, was deterrence of the mices' return. Not their death." Which I'd suggest is a little naive based on experience of cats behaviour.
The playing of games is what you once told me you were on this forum for. I'm just using your own words.
So actually : no hypocrisy, no sidestepping and no dismissing you as a troll
Debate
n.
1. A discussion involving opposing points; an argument.
2. Deliberation; consideration: passed the motion with little debate.
3. A formal contest of argumentation in which two opposing teams defend and attack a given proposition.4. Obsolete Conflict; strife.
A game in other words, it was you who interpreted that as trolling, and I'll leave others to make their minds up about what you meant.
And demeanour matters - of course it does.
Not to the outcome of the prey it doesn't, which is what I said
Cruelty a sideshow to hunting ? Well, nice of you to finally admit that it's a component.
It can be very hard to remain polite when such blatant obtusness is used. I clearly stated that the
argument about animal cruelty was a sideshow
Feel free to respond, but please try to keep it polite. I would avoid accusations of hypocrisy thrown out at anyone who replies to you though, unless you can back them up. Apologising when they're shown to be false would help too