It's discouraging that manyAmericans lapped up CSI stories for years and didn't seem to acquire analytical thought. With the pet-eating rumor, why don't journalists and the man in the street ask the following simple questions:

Does Animal Control report more pet owners searching for missing pets?

Are teachers seeing woeful little kids whose pets are gone?

Are there more flyers posted around town about missing pets?

Are more pet owners asking rescue organizations about missing pets?

Two predators for small pets are coyotes and great horned owls. Are they moving into Springfield? Great horned owls are increasing in wooded cities, and Springfield looks pretty verdant.

Do social-media sites report more pets missing in Springfield?

The city government says there are no reports. Is Springfield the kind of place where citizens would ask gov't for help with a pet?

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Of course the whole idea is ridiculous. Why eat pets when one could go fishing?