would a jack russell/terrier attack a cat?

[oliviaoatcake]

Next door's new terrier has started getting into the garden by jumping over a small cobbled together barrier between their garage and the fence. theres only a hedge my side. I have an elderly cat. should i keep her in until the gap can be blocked. next door say the terrier is harmless and doesnt bother their cat but Im worried. Should i get someone to put a fence up to be sure?

[DartmoorDoughnut]

I would, my dogs are fine with my cat but I know they'd go after strange cats

[Nancy91]

Obviously it's down to the individual dog but all the terriers I've owned really loved to chase cats, squirrels, insects... anything that runs away basically. I would keep the cat in until the garden is secure just to be on the safe side.

[Mermaidinthesea]

i have known a terrier kill a cat.

[Soubriquet]

A JRT can and will kill a cat if they want to.

My old JRT would chase them, but wouldn't actually hurt them. He would let them run, try and catch and leave. If he caught one, he would immediately let it go so he could chase it again.

If you can block the hole do it. You don't know what the dog could do and I wouldn't even risk it

[Summerisdone]

Yes, most Jack Russel Terrier dogs I've known would chase and attack a cat.

[Trustyourself2]

I'd never trust a Jack Russell. They're probably fine with their own, but questiionable with someone elses. I'd keep a close eye on your cat until the gap is fixed.

[oliviaoatcake]

Theresa that's awful!

In a way, that's why I asked. When I was 10, I witnessed my neighbour's jack russell attack their toddler. It was horrific. They had it put down.

Thanks everyone. I'll keep her in until I know the garden is secure.

[oliviaoatcake]

Sorry, that should've been inthesea

[HemanOrSheRa]

It very much depends on the dog. My JRT is as soft as butter. Lives with and is terrorized on a daily basis by my two cats and any cat visitors. She would sit with our guinea pigs when I was cleaning them out (supervised). However, our neighbour has a JRT who barks, attacks and 'has a go at' anything. My dog included . Neighbour's dog has that very strong urge to grab and shake. So, if I were you I'd do what you needed to protect your cat .

[oliviaoatcake]

Thanks everyone. I've put a 6 foot high green wire staked fence up behind the hedge (at the side of their garage) all the way down to the main fence and put chicken wire on the ground in the gap as well just to be safe. The cat is so relieved to be out again, she's been going out multiple times to stalk around the garden.

[HemanOrSheRa]

Ah good olivia . I was wondering whether you'd resolved the issue. Glad your cat is able to patrol her estate .

[lottieandmia]

Terriers can be quite unpredictable. My daughter and her friend used to play at a park after school and there was a guy there with a terrier. The little dog seemed gentle and the guy said he had never bitten. But one day, out of the blue he jumped up and bit my dd's friend's face and she has a scar there now. The owner was so upset - he was crying because he honestly thought the dog was safe. I definitely would keep your cat inside until the fence is secure.

[oliviaoatcake]

Hermanshera she loves it and stares at the dog disdainfully through the fence.

Lottie how awful. Poor thing. That's what happened with my neighbour's child - the dog leaped up and bit him on the mouth.

Neighbours have removed the. boat that the dog was using as a springboard to get into my garden now and have put it at the bottom of the garden instead.

[RandomMess]

So glad you've JRT your garden for indulged DCAT

Our cats are the boss of the JRT but as she's a rescue we don't take chances and she is crated at night. She doesn't like it when the cats play chase - just not worth the risk! JRT loves shaking her cuddlies to death and I have told my DC that is what she could do to the cats if instincts took over.

[iloveeverykindofcat]

They're hunting dogs, aren't they? Or at least they're used for hunting? My uncle has one that is soft and sweet as anything but I get the feeling he would hunt. He gets that glint in his eye when he's playing with furry toys.

[Soubriquet]

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