Next doors dog came into our garden and killed my Old Boy

[LondonBus]

I was away with DS2 and DD.

We came home last night and DH told me the dog came into our garden on Wednesday - DH rushed out and despite being a bit nervous of dogs managed to get OldBoy. Poor, poor DH loved that cat so much. 17yo DS1 took control of the situation, phoned the vets (DS1 is painfully shy and usually refuses to phone anyone). Although it was obviously too late they took OldBoy to the vet, who was marvellous. Apparently DH was sobbing and sobbing in the vets. DS1 who doesn't do hugs hugged DH.

The house is so quiet this morning without OldBoy. He wasn't just any cat, he was a funny, amazing, endlessly patient with small DC, super cat.

Anyway, the neighbours haven't moved in next door yet; the new owner wants to put an extension on first. It's unclear who the dog belongs to - the new owners mother let the dog into their garden and it came though a gap between the hedge and our fence. She told DH it was her sons dog, but that might be the new owners brother for all I know. It's the neighbours fence and up until now the gap was useful for us to pop through to mow the previous neighbours lawn (she was in her 90s), pick up her windfalls and retrieve our kids balls.

Obviously we would now like the gap closed. We never want this dog in our garden again.

We will probably have to pay the vet something...cat is still there, we are collecting him today. (DH has told the DC OldBoy looked poorly so he took him to the vet but he peacefully died.)

Can we ask neighbour to pay the vets bill?

I'm not sure of what the legalities are here.

DH is still shaken, and just keeps saying he's glad the younger DC weren't here as it was horrifically bloody.

[KingJoffreyLikesJaffaCakes]

I think you need to call the police.

Next time that could be someone's child.

[ExitPursuedBySpartacus]

Poor you and poor puss.

Send them the bill.

[CatThiefKeith]

I agree with KingJoffrey. I'd be going ballistic if that was my cat!

[FireandBrimstone]

That is just awful. I agree it needs to be taken up further with the neighbour. But give yourselves time to grieve and to focus on saying goodbye to your much loved cat. So sorry to read this

[Taylor22]

So sorry for your loss.
Defiently call the police and make a report. Approach the neighbour and inform them what has happened. Then that they should pay the bills as they are responsible for their pet.
Your cat was on your property. Peaceful and not bothering anyone. It was their duty to ensure the garden was secure so the dog didn't escape.
If they refuse you can take it to a small claims court.

[GoldFishFingerz]

You can ask them to pay the fees but they may not have to?

It could have been one of your kids. You need to get that gap blocked asap

[PikachuSayBoo]

I'm sorry this has happened.

I disagree that next time it could be a child. It's very unlikely. Just because a dog will Attack a cat does not mean it would Attack a child. My old laid greyhound would have killed cats given a chance but was fantastic with people.

But yes your neighbours need to sort the fence out and it was really silly of their mother to let the dog out without having a major boundary inspection. They should be paying any vet bills. And if they've an ounce of decency they should be coming round with flowers, chocolates and offering to pay for any costs incurred in getting a new cat (if you want one).

[merrymouse]

They should definitely pay the vet's bill ( and I think any reasonable person would want to)

However, there doesn't seem to be any practical reason for the police to be involved.

[LondonBus]

So it's not worth logging it with the police? I don't want the police to do anything, but didn't know if we should log it I case there are any future incidents.

We've been taking deliveries for next door as they're not living there, then the mother has been coming and getting them off us. I don't think I'll be able to look at her now. I don't want to be on bad terms with neighbours but I'm not feeling the love. Awkward.

[NameChange30]

I'm so sorry about your cat. It must have been very traumatic for your DH and DS1.

I think you should report it to the police (non emergency number obviously) and the Dog Warden at the council.

I suggest that you write the neighbours a letter explaining what happened and asking them to pay the vets bill; enclose a copy of it. If they refuse to pay I would take them to the small claims court as a PP suggested.

Obviously they need to secure the boundaries of their garden before letting the dog out.

[SoupDragon]

Sorry about your cat, it sounds awful.

I would block the gap myself as the I would know it was done.

I would definitely give them the vet bill but I doubt I would have the strength to pursue it.

[SoupDragon]

I would phone the non emergency police number and see what they say.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I would report it, the dog was out of control. It might not be the first time either.

I'm so sorry it sounds horrific. Your poor old boy deserved a better end than that.

[BabyGanoush]

I'd contact the dog warden,

As the dog was not under control (he should have been supervised or made to come back. He killed your cat in your garden)

[MuttsNutts]

I am so very sorry. So terribly sad

I'm not sure that the police would be able to do much but if I could face having the conversation I would certainly expect the dog's owner to pay the vet's bill.

[WatchingFromTheWings]

I'd definitely report to police and doc warden. Ask the dog owner to pay, Small Claims if not. They have a duty to ensure their dog is under control at all times.

[WatchingFromTheWings]

*dog, not doc

[PepsiPenguin]

I would also call the local dog warden they should be able to advise what to do. The dog was on your property I wouldn't give a shit about the effect on the relationship with the neighbour in this case and I wouldn't be doing them anymore favours.

So very sad for you

[Vinorosso74]

Am so sorry that is horrible. Your vets may be able to advise on what to do regarding reporting the dog. I think it needs to be reported.

[WalrusGumboot]

That's horrific I'm so sorry. Definitely phone the police. Who wants neighbours like that? Maybe they'll do the extension then re sell it. I hope so anyway. Fuming on your behalf

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I would call the police. The dog was out of control and destroyed your property on your property.

[lougle]

That's so sad
But taking a small step back from the emotion of it all, do you really want to report the dog for...being a dog? The gap between the hedge and the fence was big enough for you to get through and you used it to pop in and out of the next door garden over the years. Now a dog has come through to your garden through that same space. Was the mother even aware the gap was there?

The dog hasn't been unusually viscious or out of control. Many, many dogs would kill a cat if they crossed paths. It is unfortunate that the dog was let into the garden and the boundary wasn't secure, but if they aren't even living there and it isn't the owner who did it, it sounds like a genuine accident.

I think it would be extreme to report the dog for behaving as dogs often behave.

[PitchFork]

Was the mother even aware the gap was there?

that's the whole point. the dog owner/handler is responsible for keeping their dog under close control. not checking the fence is irresponsible.

[CalmItKermitt]

I'm so sorry. That must have been awful 😟

However - my dog would definitely kill a cat. She is as trustworthy as it's possible to be with people. It's like saying a cat that kills birds might attack a person next. The police wont be interested.

[lougle]

But, pitchfork, if the hedge and fence are in a line with a fairly narrow gap between them that you can shimmy through to get balls, etc, it's unlikely to be visible from the house unless you're familiar? Looking out on the garden you'd just see a fenced/hedged garden which looks secure, from the OP's description?