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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:
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.

Original poster
Miniminxymoo · 17/04/2025 07:25

sunshineandshowers40 · 17/04/2025 07:17

How long have you had the dog? I'm surprised the cat is still coming into your garden.

Your neighbours are bring ridiculous!

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.

OP posts:
Whaleandsnail6 · 17/04/2025 07:25

RunningJo · 17/04/2025 07:20

So every-time the dog wants to go in the garden, you think the OP should put the dog on a lead and go out as well, come rain or shine?
Who has time for this?

Show quote history

In my experience, you dont have to do that for long...the cats do wise on there is a scary dog in the garden.

As I said further up, I have a greyhound. When we first adopted her, I would go in the garden with her on a lead but after a couple of weeks, I started just doing a cat check before letting her out

I know op doesn't "have" to make sure there isnt a cat in the garden before letting her dog out, but I do think its the right thing to do.

If my dog harmed or killed a cat, I would be heartbroken and feel guilty, I wouldn't just think " ah well, shouldn't have been there anyway/not my responsibility " so I just think its taking precaution

Morningstarter · 17/04/2025 07:23

I’m guessing relations are pretty shite between you two at the best of times?

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 17/04/2025 07:22

They are probably just annoyed that they now need to clean up their own cat poo. We have cats and they just avoid the garden with the dog.

LeapingSpringLambs · 17/04/2025 07:20

BlondiePortz · 17/04/2025 07:14

If they were so concerned about the cat they would keep it in, what about cars and loose dogs in the street?

Again! Why do you think it’s in the cat’s interests to live a life without risk!! It’s not a toy.

RunningJo · 17/04/2025 07:20

GooseOnMyGrave · 17/04/2025 07:14

I’m not an expert by any means, but I’m not convinced the law would be on your side if the dog did manage to hurt or kill the cat.
If you see the cat in the garden, why not take the dog out on a lead for the 30 seconds it would take for the cat to run away and then let the dog off once the cat has gone?

So every-time the dog wants to go in the garden, you think the OP should put the dog on a lead and go out as well, come rain or shine?
Who has time for this?

LeapingSpringLambs · 17/04/2025 07:18

Agix · 17/04/2025 06:56

I'm a cat lover and own cats

This is not your problem. Your garden is your dogs garden, and your dog should be allowed there whenever it (and you) like. You shouldn't have to cater to next doors cat.

If your neighbours are worried about their cats safety in your garden, they need to figure out how to keep it away. Their cats safety is their responsibility. If they asked any cat protection charity, they'd all say to keep the cat inside of there are concerns for safety. Allowing free roaming for cats hasn't been considered responsible cat ownership for a long time.

That’s not true. In the uk cats are considered by law as semi- domesticated not fully domesticated and have the right to roam like wild animals do. That of course comes with risks and the cat might not live as long but very few cats don’t show signs of distress if forced to be indoors only. A lot of cat charities are irresponsible in my opinion and view cats as a possession rather than an independent animal - for example, think trapping and containing a feral cat (who is inevitably terrified and frustrated) is in its interest as it will live longer! Life isn’t all about length. Humans take risks all time to enjoy life. It totally frustrates me that people think it’s in the cats best interest to force it into a captivity they wouldn’t wish on themselves. It’s purely in their selfish interests as it’s upsetting if the cat dies or disappears.

Back to the op! Cats are creatures of habit and routine so it will try and come back to your garden for a bit I expect but it will stay away if frightened. It certainly isn’t your responsibility to worry about fhe cat. If you wanted to be neighbourly and indulge them, you could offer to take the dog initially on the lead for a few weeks before letting it off to give the cat a chance to see it. But there certainly isn’t any obligation to do that. A lab is a breed that’s unlikely to actually harm a cat although you obviously can never be sure. Our next door neighbour got a much faster breed dog and it never occurred to us to worry about our cats. Their dog did catch our ducks a couple of times! Again the risk we took by letting our ducks free range as they hated being contained too.

faerietales · 17/04/2025 07:17

GooseOnMyGrave · 17/04/2025 07:14

I’m not an expert by any means, but I’m not convinced the law would be on your side if the dog did manage to hurt or kill the cat.
If you see the cat in the garden, why not take the dog out on a lead for the 30 seconds it would take for the cat to run away and then let the dog off once the cat has gone?

The law wouldn’t do anything. The only time it might be an issue is if OP’s dog got loose and into the neighbours garden.

If you let your cat out to roam, you take the risk that your cat could be injured, hit by a car, attacked by a dog, trapped somewhere etc.

socks1107 · 17/04/2025 07:17

I adore my cat - but honestly your neighbours sound batty! It’s the dogs garden and the cat will soon learn to stay away

sunshineandshowers40 · 17/04/2025 07:17

How long have you had the dog? I'm surprised the cat is still coming into your garden.

Your neighbours are bring ridiculous!

Gettingbysomehow · 17/04/2025 07:15

Cats aren't stupid they will normally avoid dogs like the plague. My cats won't go near them.
Next doors cat will learn not to go into yours if it's got any sense. But it isn't your problem if it does.

ChocoChocoLatte · 17/04/2025 07:15

Your neighbour is an idiot. <gavel>

faerietales · 17/04/2025 07:15

Viviennemary · 17/04/2025 07:12

I think if their cat got injured by your dog they could take legal action even if it happened in your garden although this does seem unfair. In any case I doubt if anything will come of it as the cat will most likely stop coming into your garden

No, they can’t.

RunningJo · 17/04/2025 07:14

Your neighbours are being ridiculous.
The cat is now likely to avoid the garden. We have dogs, and a neighbour with several cats. They never come in our garden.
Not a chance however that I’d be doing a full check of the garden before I let my dogs out, and my neighbours wouldn’t ask.

faerietales · 17/04/2025 07:14

I have cats who go out to roam and a dog who chases strange cats.

You’re fine, honestly. Dogs are just one of the many risks you take when you let your cats out. They’re always free to cat-proof their garden if they’re that bothered but if it wasn’t your dog, it would be someone else’s.

Our middle cat has managed to befriend the neighbours dog and they share the dogs’ food together 😂

GooseOnMyGrave · 17/04/2025 07:14

I’m not an expert by any means, but I’m not convinced the law would be on your side if the dog did manage to hurt or kill the cat.
If you see the cat in the garden, why not take the dog out on a lead for the 30 seconds it would take for the cat to run away and then let the dog off once the cat has gone?

BlondiePortz · 17/04/2025 07:14

If they were so concerned about the cat they would keep it in, what about cars and loose dogs in the street?

Kilroyonly · 17/04/2025 07:12

If their cat gets injured then unless they have video footage of your dog causing injuries I wouldn’t worry. They’d have to prove it was your dog & if they are that worried then they should have it insured and in any case the only way they could force you to pay is by the legal route but again they’d need unequivocal proof. Just ignore them & the cat..it will soon go away

olympicsrock · 17/04/2025 07:12

They can keep the cat out of your garden by any means they choose at their expense.
Do what you like in your own garden.

Viviennemary · 17/04/2025 07:12

I think if their cat got injured by your dog they could take legal action even if it happened in your garden although this does seem unfair. In any case I doubt if anything will come of it as the cat will most likely stop coming into your garden

Fraaances · 17/04/2025 07:11

Honestly, tell them they’re barking… (terrible pun intended). Get a security camera aimed at your garden to avoid your dog being falsely accused. Just ignore their demands.

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

Never2many · 17/04/2025 07:10

Cats aren’t stupid. It’s not going to keep coming into your garden if your dog chases it. The neighbours need to be told that this is your garden, and while you’re not able to stop their cat coming in, if the cat is chased by your dog while it’s there then that’ not your responsibility.

TBH if you genuinely thought your dog might kill their cat then I would be more cautious, purely because if the dog actually killed the cat it would be horrific, for all concerned. But if the dog is just chasing the cat out of the garden then let it be.

Do bear in mind though that cats can be goady little shits, and are not beyond stalking along the fence to whip the dog into a frenzy.

Original poster
Miniminxymoo · 17/04/2025 07:09

Just to add, sorry should have said this, I shoo it out if I see it as I won’t make the dog wait. Often it’s in places I just don’t see it though. I won’t go out and inspect the hiding places though and don’t feel I should have to.

OP posts:
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