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AIBU?

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Original poster

To tell the neighbours the cat isn’t my problem

389 replies

Miniminxymoo · 17/04/2025 06:51

We have neighbours who own a cat. The cat is a bit of a pain in the backside and continually came in our garden. Obviously, we couldn’t stop it and it treated our garden as its own causing some damage to toys and crapping in the flower beds.

We have recently got a lab from a rescue who, as we quickly discovered, doesn’t like cats. As soon as we brought our dog home and let it in the garden it immediately chased this cat down. The dog didn’t catch the cat and is likely never going to but likes to terrify the cat. Thankfully, the cat seems to be trying its luck a little less and our garden isn’t suffering so much mess and damage. Most of the other houses have had dogs for a fair while so cat hasn’t gone into the other gardens, ours was the only one it went into because of the dogs.

The neighbours have now complained that they are worried that my dog is going to harm their cat and possibly kill it. Now, as I’ve said, the dog is likely never to catch the cat and my garden is very secure so will never escape. The neighbours have said they will charge us for any vet bills if their cat gets injured and they will complain to the council.

neighbours have also said that if the cat is in my garden then I shouldn’t let the dog out for a pee. The issue is, I often don’t see the cat before I let her out.

My dog is pretty chilled, never any bother in any other way other than when the cat comes in.

AIBU to tell the neighbours that it isn’t my problem if their cat is scared. It’s my garden and my dog’s home and if they have an issue then they’re the ones who should keep their animal in? I’ve suggested for them to put rubber spikes or similar on their fence to hopefully prevent the cat, who is a twat, coming in but they have said the expense to do that should be on me and they don’t like to do things like that!

OP posts:
Nominative · 17/04/2025 08:07

Miniminxymoo · 17/04/2025 07:58

The dog isn’t reactive to other animals or people, just cats. So far hasn’t caught it so have no idea is she would actually hurt the cat. She just barks (no growling) and runs after it. Interestingly, doesn’t bark if it’s on the fence just if it’s physically in the garden.

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Cats can react very quickly, so if your dog barks this one has its warning and can and will get out of the way.

My sister's cat was injured by a dog when it got into its owner's garden. Sister and her DH took the view that it was solely the cat's fault - it never occurred to them to blame the dog's owner.

SpringIsSpringing25 · 17/04/2025 08:07

Miniminxymoo · 17/04/2025 07:25

We’ve had the dog for 3 months. For some bizarre reason the cat just isn’t seeming to learn. It’s not every day but I would say about 3/4 times a week it wants to try its luck. It’s a pretty bolshy cat but is wise enough not to hang around when the dog is let out nor will it come in when the dog is already out in the garden.

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Then the cat isn't that scared of your dog. It obviously has decided it's fast enough or that your dog doesn't have intent to harm it.

Cats aren't stupid, even if the neighbours are!!

Your dog and their cat will sort it out between them.

It's been three months and your dog is a lab.

therealtrunchbull · 17/04/2025 08:07

My neighbours cat actively taunts my dog all day, every day if it gets the opportunity. It strolls around my garden looking towards my back door and waiting for my dog to spot it and bark for the door to be opened so he can chase it. He will never catch the cat but it’s a massive pain in the arse when I work from home to have my dog suddenly erupt into barking several times a day to chase the cat.

If he ever did happen to catch and injure/kill the cat, that would be the neighbours problem seeing as it’s their cat and my bloody garden. Perhaps they could let their cat out on a lead only, or enclose the garden, or frankly anything that doesn’t involve me because MY pet is on a lead when out of his property and not roaming around other peoples properties.

Lyannaa · 17/04/2025 08:06

How do you know your dog isn’t reactive to other animals? I find it highly unlikely that your dog is only going to chase the neighbour’s cat and nothing else and I do agree with the pp that reinforcing this behaviour is wrong and is going to cause you problems. It’s the cat owners responsibility to make sure their cat stays safe but it’s your responsibility as a dog owner to train it! Irresponsible dog owners cause the community more issues than irresponsible cat owners.

Original poster
Miniminxymoo · 17/04/2025 08:01

Crazydoglady1980 · 17/04/2025 07:58

I voted you are being unreasonable, not because of the cat, but everytime your dog chases the cat, it is reinforcing the behaviour of chasing prey. Although this is not an issue now, if you do plan to let your dog off lead in the woods etc, it will react the same, and there won’t be the boundaries of the garden to stop them.

She doesn’t react to other animals, it’s pretty common for dogs not to like cats 🤷🏼‍♀️.

OP posts:
Crazydoglady1980 · 17/04/2025 07:58

I voted you are being unreasonable, not because of the cat, but everytime your dog chases the cat, it is reinforcing the behaviour of chasing prey. Although this is not an issue now, if you do plan to let your dog off lead in the woods etc, it will react the same, and there won’t be the boundaries of the garden to stop them.

Original poster
Miniminxymoo · 17/04/2025 07:58

Eze · 17/04/2025 07:56

The cat isn’t a twat, it’s simply being a cat. Your garden is part of its territory but it will adjust to your dog. Cats adapt their behaviour to avoid cats or dogs so you will see it in the garden less.

Your neighbour is being unreasonable, your dog, your garden. If they’re so concerned about the cat going into your garden then they can cat proof their garden, build a catio or keep cat as a house cat. That is squarely on their shoulders as a cat owner.

As a dog owner try to train your dog to be less reactive. Are dogs going to be reactive to other dogs/people too if they go for cats? That behaviour is for you to work on the rest is the responsibility of your neighbour.

The dog isn’t reactive to other animals or people, just cats. So far hasn’t caught it so have no idea is she would actually hurt the cat. She just barks (no growling) and runs after it. Interestingly, doesn’t bark if it’s on the fence just if it’s physically in the garden.

OP posts:
AlertCat · 17/04/2025 07:58

To my knowledge, cats are classed as wild animals when they’re out and about, whereas a dog is its owner’s responsibility- that’s why it’s an offence to stop if you run over a dog but not a cat, and why you can’t force your neighbours to do anything about cats crapping in your garden. So the neighbours can say what they like but if their pet isn’t under their control they won’t have a leg to stand on. It goes both ways- they have the benefit of not being held accountable for their cat’s behaviour but the disadvantage that it’s not legally protected if it’s allowed to roam.

forrestgreen · 17/04/2025 07:58

I’d tell them their cat is trespassing and they need to make sure it doesn’t enter your property again. Then twist their words back at them. If their cat scratches or bites your dog you will immediately bill them for vets bills and pain and suffering etc

Katemax82 · 17/04/2025 07:57

Lol at the cat is a twat!

Sunshineandrainbow · 17/04/2025 07:57

YNBU and I say this as someone who's cat was killed by a dog.

The cat just needs to learn not to access your garden.

Glitchymn1 · 17/04/2025 07:56

Common sense not prevailing then. Dog ran after cat, cat unlikely to keep trying to access your garden.
Neighbours are insane.

My Lab didn’t like cats either, wouldn’t bite them but stood on them, so cats quickly realised that if they come over they’ll be getting stood on, pawed and sniffed.

Eze · 17/04/2025 07:56

The cat isn’t a twat, it’s simply being a cat. Your garden is part of its territory but it will adjust to your dog. Cats adapt their behaviour to avoid cats or dogs so you will see it in the garden less.

Your neighbour is being unreasonable, your dog, your garden. If they’re so concerned about the cat going into your garden then they can cat proof their garden, build a catio or keep cat as a house cat. That is squarely on their shoulders as a cat owner.

As a dog owner try to train your dog to be less reactive. Are dogs going to be reactive to other dogs/people too if they go for cats? That behaviour is for you to work on the rest is the responsibility of your neighbour.

PrincessHoneysuckle · 17/04/2025 07:55

Very weird of them.
Ddog tries to chase next doors cat out of our garden,the cat look pityingly at it then fucks off.
Yanbu.

Lyannaa · 17/04/2025 07:54

Whaleandsnail6 · 17/04/2025 07:11

I have a dog, who I know would hurt (or kill) a cat if they got the chance (ex racing greyhound)

I never let the dog i the garden without going out first and doing a cat check, as I don't think its worth potentially harming another animal.

Thankfully no cats come in my garden now (one used to but got wise to me chasing it away and also probably saw the dog from afar)

I don't think its a big ask that you check your garden before letting your dog out to prevent a possible injury to the cat

I agree with the above ^^

Neighbour disputes can very quickly turn very nasty. It’s best to do what you can to avoid years of future problems for yourself.

IglesiasPiggl · 17/04/2025 07:54

I have cats and attitudes like your neighbour's really annoy me. As a cat owner, you can choose whether to let your cat roam or not. If you let it roam then you also accept the associated risks whilst you are not supervising your pet - it might get run over, chased by dogs etc. That's on them, not the rest of society. And no, you don't have to pay any vets bills.

Zonder · 17/04/2025 07:53

The neighbours are daft. I'm intrigued by the 3% on here who think YABU!

Original poster
Miniminxymoo · 17/04/2025 07:53

AngelinaFibres · 17/04/2025 07:49

We spent a summer firing the jet hose at the 3 cats that used our garden as a toilet. They don't come in anymore. If they did I'd soak them again. We had a large golden retriever for years. They didn't come in when he was around.Your garden is your space. If their cat comes in and is hurt then so be it

We tried the same before we got the dog but the cat never seemed to learn. It seems to be very determined!

OP posts:
LeapingSpringLambs · 17/04/2025 07:52

LandSharksAnonymous · 17/04/2025 07:25

Put your hard hat on, OP. Someone posted a similar thread last week was basically told ‘cats have a right to roam and shit in your garden.’

Personally, I think it’s your garden. So, fuck ‘em.

Cats literally do have the right in UK law to roam and shit in your garden! Just like wild animals as they’re classed as semi-domesticated. Doesn’t mean the op has to do anything different though.

Op, seen your update that’s it’s been 3,months. That’s plenty of time for the cat to know!! If it’s still choosing to come in your garden it clearly doesn’t view your dog as much of a threat! If it’s mistaken in that then that’s not in your control.

Original poster
Miniminxymoo · 17/04/2025 07:51

LoopyLou94 · 17/04/2025 07:45

As long as the dog NEVER leaves the garden without a lead, YANBU. And I say this as a cat owner with a strong preference for cats!

We would only let her off lead when we are n walks in the woods and the local fields. We would leash her until we get to those places. To be honest, we are still working on recall so she’s only been off lead in a secure field until now whilst we work on it.

OP posts:
LimitedBrightSpots · 17/04/2025 07:50

Tell them to keep the cat out of your garden, but your dog has every right to be there.

Barney16 · 17/04/2025 07:50

From experience, unless it's a very dumb cat, it will soon be sitting on the top of the fence taunting your dog. Cats are clever and it will soon work out the situation. I don't think it's at all likely your dog will ever catch it. Your neighbours can't dictate about your garden. I'm sure after a while the situation will settle down.

AngelinaFibres · 17/04/2025 07:49

We spent a summer firing the jet hose at the 3 cats that used our garden as a toilet. They don't come in anymore. If they did I'd soak them again. We had a large golden retriever for years. They didn't come in when he was around.Your garden is your space. If their cat comes in and is hurt then so be it

Original poster
Miniminxymoo · 17/04/2025 07:48

LibrariansGiveUsPower · 17/04/2025 07:42

OP make sure you’ve got indemnity/liability insurance for your dog. All dog owners should have this.

There is possibly for fine & prison sentence if your dog is deemed out of control (on public or private land) but it only applies where there’s humans or service dogs involved.

cat in your garden would be a civil matter and you neighbour could claim for vets bills/damages (which would be covered under liability insurance).

https://law.stackexchange.com/questions/61877/what-happens-if-my-dog-kills-a-cat-in-my-garden-uk

Your neighbours however should consider cst proofing so their cat can’t escape .

Dog is insured and is stupidly friendly with other dogs and humans. She just seems to have a thing about cats. I still don’t know if she would actively hurt the cat though, so far she’s just chased the cat and barked but has never caught it.

OP posts:
FOJN · 17/04/2025 07:47

LandSharksAnonymous · 17/04/2025 07:25

Put your hard hat on, OP. Someone posted a similar thread last week was basically told ‘cats have a right to roam and shit in your garden.’

Personally, I think it’s your garden. So, fuck ‘em.

The "right to roam" for cats is the reason there are differences between the legal responsibilities of cat and dog owners.

Cat owners do not have a responsibility to keep their cat "under control" when the cat is outside which is why, unlike dog owners, they are not fined for cats shitting wherever they like.

I would remind your neighbour about this and tell him/her that the cat is not your problem. Your dog is secured inside the boundaries of your property so you are doing nothing wrong.

It is unlikely that your dog would kill the cat even if he cornered it, most dog breeds enjoy the chase but freeze when they catch up with a hissing cat. Cats are ferocious when cornered and the dog would probably learn a painful lesson.

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