IF a cat is outside, off your property, it is feral. Fact. FGC § 4151
A dog barking in someone's backyard is someone's property/chattel. Fact. YOU are not allowed to shoot someone's property in their backyard. Fact. That is criminal trespass and a slew of other charges. Actually, you can not shoot someone's dog unless it is an immediate threat to life and limb- unless it is in a county such as mine where the dog is harming livestock.
I am not condoning the shooting of cats in the 'burbs. (I have a wife that has been secretly feeding a feral cat, so what do I do? Nothing, I guess) As it is, it is most likely illegal to discharge a pellet gun in city limits of Oakland. I imagine, just as it is illegal in most city limits here in CA.
My problem is the ridiculous reward offered.
Of course, they mentioned the use of a pellet gun, (gun=bad) paints a broad picture, gives all airgun shooters a bad name? No, not necessarily.