[brokenmachine]

>I don't really NEED the cat and the cat doesn't really NEED me

That is no different to a dog.

If we left the doors open a dog could easily kill and eat something as well. A dog isn't totally dependent on humans. We just don't allow that because it would be dangerous for children or other dogs who might be killed by a feral dog.

If a stray cat was large enough and capable of killing a child, then I bet our society would be much more serious about keeping cats locked up like we do dogs.