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AIBU?

Is DM or neighbour bu re dead cats?

142 replies

Oysterbabe · 27/12/2016 22:42

DM's neighbour has a swimming pool, which is actually a huge hole in the ground containing 2ft of stinking stagnant water. Over the last few years 5 cats have drowned in the pool, 3 of which were owned by DM and 2 by other neighbours. Also a fox, countless rodents and hedgehogs have met their end in the death pool.

After the first of DM's cats drowned the neighbour seemed genuinely upset and agreed to cover the pool. It didn't happen and a while later DM lost another cat. There was another discussion about covering it or at least putting something in it that trapped animals could climb on to, again it didn't happen and recently cat number 3 drowned too.

DM was devastated by the loss of each cat. I suspect emotions were running high and she was not particularly polite when discussing the latest one with neighbour. Neighbour is angry that DM went onto her property to look for the cat when she was out and has now said she is not going to do anything about covering the pool and DM should keep her pets off her land.

DM is very upset and anxious about her cats. She keeps them in all night and worries herself sick whenever they put a paw outside in the day. They can't really be indoor cats, DM has a small holding and they are outdoorsy country cats.

Given that you can't control where a cat goes, shouldn't the neighbour agree to at least chuck a bit of wood into their pool?

OP posts:

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GreenTureen · 27/12/2016 22:45

Cat's aren't stupid and they'll avoid water...i'm struggling to imagine how 5 cats have managed to drown in 2 ft of water. One may have been very bad luck but 5? I think it's more likely the neighbour is bumping them off tbph.

ThisThingCalledLife · 27/12/2016 22:45

stagnant, still water is a breeding ground for bacteria, call environmental health on her.....make sure to stress that pets and other animals die and rot in there.

OneWithTheForce · 27/12/2016 22:49

It's very odd that 5 cat she all went into her pool! Is there a hidden drop into it or something? Cats know to avoid water.

Oysterbabe · 27/12/2016 22:53

I agree it's odd that all these animals keep falling in. I'm not sure of the reason why. It is in a right state with the slabs surrounding crumbling in. It also has a lot of leaves and things in it. Maybe it gives the illusion of a solid surface so they jump in?

OP posts:

Champagneformyrealfriends · 27/12/2016 22:56

I'm a terrible person - death pool made me chuckle

Your poor mum and her cats though-id call environmental health as a pp has suggested.

HarrietSchulenberg · 27/12/2016 23:06

Your dm must have some incredibly stupid cats. It's a pond with 2ft of water in it, not a swimming pool.

Jellybean83 · 27/12/2016 23:10

I agree with GreenTureen, your DM neighbour must be bumping them off. Cats are so agile they would no doubt be able to climb out a 2ft pool.

JustCallMeKate · 27/12/2016 23:11

Is it a disused swimming pool you're talking about with stagnant water in it?

I'm wondering how cats can drown in it if that's the case. Are you sure the neighbour isn't using the pool as an excuse? I find it a bit odd that all those animals have ended up in the pool tbh. Are you sure the neighbour isn't killing them then throwing them into the pool to cover their tracks?

sj257 · 27/12/2016 23:12

I'm presuming the OP means a swimming pool that has 2ft of water in the bottom....

Peanutandphoenix · 27/12/2016 23:13

harrietschulenberg there is no need to be so fucking horrible. OP you need to phone environmental health that pool sounds like a real health hazard and I doubt all the cats have just willingly jumped in to it and drowned I think there has been some fowl play involved and helping hand from your poor mum's nasty neighbor.

nottinghamgal · 27/12/2016 23:14

All sounds very odd but in meantime get your mother to look to invest in a netting to stop cats jumping over into their garden.

FurryLittleTwerp · 27/12/2016 23:15

Even a piece of thick rope dangling in would help things climb out. This all seems very odd - cats are not generally stupid

Fuckingnamechanged · 27/12/2016 23:15

I also think the neighbour is up to no good. I've never known a cat to fall in such a small amount of water and not get out, let alone a fox and rat... Rats are very adept swimmers.

AngryVagina · 27/12/2016 23:16

I don't think cats are very good at climbing ladders...my cat is 100% stupid enough to jump into an almost empty pool and get stuck. Quite horrified by the neighbour's lack of action.

Motheroffourdragons · 27/12/2016 23:16

We have a swimming pool that we don't cover, and any amount of cats come swanning through our garden.
We have never found a dead one in the pool.
We have had the odd hedgehog, but they are pretty good at staying alive till rescued, as have the frogs.

I think something else is going on here.

FurryLittleTwerp · 27/12/2016 23:16

How likely is it that a small child could fall in?

Oysterbabe · 27/12/2016 23:18

Yes it's a large swimming pool with no steps, as it's been unused for at least 20 years, with 2ft of water in the bottom and 6ft of smooth concrete above that.

OP posts:

Motheroffourdragons · 27/12/2016 23:18

I guess if the neighbours let small children run free in other people's gardens then maybe......but if the pool owner has none, why should that happen ?

impossible · 27/12/2016 23:18

Call the RSPCA. If that many animals have died in the pool it is a hazard that needs to be sorted out. It does sound rather odd though. I wonder if something else is going on.

FannyFifer · 27/12/2016 23:19

Bet the neighbour is throwing animals in.

Motheroffourdragons · 27/12/2016 23:19

There is no way all these animals are dying in a swimming pool, honestly.

Frusso · 27/12/2016 23:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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sj257 · 27/12/2016 23:22

Wondering how people think cats are able to climb out of a deep swimming pool when they are stuck in manky water, not even as if they have a solid surface to try and jump from....

Motheroffourdragons · 27/12/2016 23:22

Really ? A PM on a cat?

Motheroffourdragons · 27/12/2016 23:23

Cats wouldn't go in in the first place, they are way too clever for that.

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