These laws served the goals of restraining dogs and providing accountability for damage caused by them. As dog predation of livestock became a problem, laws were passed requiring licensing of dogs and prohibiting them from running loose. Up until the early 20th century, it was not uncommon to visit a small community and find dogs running loose. The fact that dogs must be vaccinated and licensed has little to do with their classification as domestic animals, and more with the historical role of the 'dog catcher.' In the earlier days of American life, dogs often were allowed to roam free during the day, and were brought in at night. Others argue that, because cats are not required to be licensed or vaccinated against rabies, they must be classified as wildlife. Like domestic cats, livestock are considered to be personal property, notwithstanding the statutory definition. Livestock also are not included within this definition, though, and they clearly are not wild animals.

Cats are not included within this definition, these people argue, so therefore cats are classified as wild animals. section 1-215(30)) as support for this position. Some point to the fact that dogs are defined by statute as 'personal property' ( A.R.S.

Many people think of them as 'tiny tigers' or 'little lions,' and believe that they are all 'wild at heart.' Perhaps this is why so many people fall prey to the mistaken belief that domestic cats are 'classified by law as wild animals' and that the laws protecting domestic animals do not apply to them. Domestic cats can be mysterious, elusive, and even predatorial.

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