My dog killed a cat this afternoon. What now?

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Out with dog this afternoon. Dog off lead in seemingly empty field. Cat jumped up from long grass in front of him and he pounced. Cat didn't really have a chance. It was still alive when I managed to get dog off so wrapped it up and took it to vet who lives locally. Vet just rang to say cat died. Owners on holiday till Tuesday but have been told.

First step is dog is staying on lead at all times. Next step is training classes, will ring when I get home tomorrow eve. What else?

Dog is insured so should be covered for vet costs for cat. Will have bill for him too as he was injured, but still waiting to know how much. Will offer to meet with cat owners, if they want to. Do I need to muzzle him if he's on a lead?

Really shocked at the mo and prob not thinking straight. I've always had cats until recently so I really feel for the owners.

Will be bwck in a while, need to get kids to bed.

[ChaffinchOfDoom]

oh no! poor you, shocking accident, sounds like you're doing the right things.

[KaFayOLay]

How upsetting for all.

Dogs with a high prey drive can be some of the most difficult to train. There's not much, if anything, that is more rewarding than a chase and a kill.

Yes to keeping him on the lead.

What breed is he? Can you hold him if he decides to pounce?
The answer to this may determine whether you muzzle or not.

[Methe]

It's just one of those things isn't it?

[Lilcamper]

Dogs are predatory scroungers. Chalk it up to experience and let it go.

[Bowlersarm]

Don't think there's anything else you can do. You've covered everything as far as I can see.

It's upsetting, but I don't think there's anything you could have done.

Our neighbours dog killed our other neighbours cat. It was a difficult time all round, for a while.

[MrsMaturin]

This must have been very shocking. Poor cat :( I have to say if that were my cat I would be absolutely furious and it would take me a while to calm down so don't be surprised if the owners are very, very angry.
Has he ever shown aggression like this before? How was he with your cats? Is it possible he mistook what the animal was?

[snowmummy]

Shocking accident? I wouldn't call that an accident. What breed of dog s it?

Does it have form for this type of behaviour?

[Bowlersarm]

What does it matter what the breed of dog is snowmummy?

[Jinglebells99]

Gosh how awful. What type of dog do you have? I think I would offer to pay for a new cat although they may not want one. Just reminded me that years ago our neighbour's dog got into our garden and killed our rabbit who was in a hutch. That dog was badly behaved though and been bought by neighbours daughter who couldn't control it. It also killed some chickens.

[MrsStatham]

I'm a dog owner and I'm horrified. Muzzles and lead restrictions are too little too late. If I was the cat owner I'd consider legal action.

[AgentProvocateur]

"One of those things" ? If that was my cat, I'd be devastated and I'd be furious.

[AgentProvocateur]

"One of those things" ? If that was my cat, I'd be devastated and I'd be furious.

[AgentProvocateur]

"One of those things" ? If that was my cat, I'd be devastated and I'd be furious.

[AgentProvocateur]

Sorry for multiple posts

[Methe]

Yes and so would I but that's the chance you take when you let your pets out unsupervised.

I had a Labrador a couple of years and with a high prey drive and I once had to prise one of my neighbours cats out of his jaws in our garden.

I now have a cat and I'd be gutted if a dog killed it but it is just life. Animals are anymals.. You can't micromanage their every second.

[CQ]

Legal action? On what basis. Neither animal on a lead. On public property.

OP this happened to me a few weeks ago and I was scared to post on here because of the flaming I thought I'd get. The cat was in my own garden though so slightly different.

But I know just how you're feeling right now. I was SO upset, angry at the dog, felt so guilty that I hadn't seen the cat in the garden before I let the dog out.

She now never gets off the lead, and if we are walking around streets rather than in woods and fields, she wears a muzzle, which she hates, and so do I. But no alternative

[Bowlersarm]

Can you really take legal action? What could the result be? If that's the case I am surprised that dog owners would own up.

[ProtegeMoi]

How horrific!
Would be devastated if it was my cat.

Sounds like your doing all the right things, how about offering to pay for the cats cremation also and some nice wine / chocs / flowers for the owners.

What a sad thing for them to find out on holiday.

[Artandco]

I would be horrified too!

Def needs a muzzle and on lead at all times now. What breed is it? Is it know for chasing things?

I would be vet concerned it would go for a small child next time! We have spent the afternoon outside with 3 month old lying on picnic blanket in shade, I wouldn't want your dog near her

If I was the cat owner I'm afraid I would prob also seek legal action and see if the dog was safe to be out in public or should be put to sleep

[snowmummy]

It matters, bowlers because certain breeds seem to be more predisposed to hunting and killing and if it were one those breeds I'd be very concerned.

[Methe]

Legal action! Who are you kidding?

[VivaLeBeaver]

I don't think legal action would lead to anything apart from being ordered topay vets bills. Which the OP is already doing.

I'd get a basket muzzle for the dog just incase he pulls unexpectedly and gets away from you. In fact I'd be more tempted to use that rather than having him on his lead all the time.

[snowmummy]

Animals are anymals.. You can't micromanage their every second.

Really?

You own an animal, you have to take responsibility for its actions. Shocking attitude!

[Hulababy]

If a dog has a high tendency to pounce surely you can't just chalk it up as one of those things. You have to take action, like the op is planning to do.

[patienceisvirtuous]

:( poor mog