AIBU to be annoyed neighbour put spikes on the fence?

Cat owner. Mine goes at home - I’m the designated litter tray cleaner - and occasionally in the garden, and I hates cleaning it but I chose to get a cat. Your neighbour didn’t, and while she didn’t speak to you about the issue, there is very little you can do about cats using your garden as a toilet except put up cat proofing.

Apparently it’s not illegal to put them on the fence if they’re of a certain kind, but if they cause harm( which they’re on designed to do) then you can be sued!
Other deterrents are preferable.

I think I might get some to deter the squirrels, they run across the road and along our fence each morning to eat our flower buds, last year one picked the immature peaches of the peach tree nibbled them and chucked them on the ground.

I think it’s illegal to put spikes along the top of your fence. If anyone or an animal gets injured, even if they’re trespassing, the person or owner of the animal could sue you!

If she’s adding the spikes to a fence you’re responsible for maintaining (ie the side on your deeds which is ‘yours’) then you can remove them. If it’s on ‘her’ fence then you can’t do anything about it.

Have you seen the price of these ? Also, what if neighbours don't want them attached to their or shared posts, that would mean having more posts in one's garden, even more cost.

In our case, our walls/fences are too short for these.

Our neighbour has 7 cats. One of their cats and/or another local cat clearly has "tummy issues" so that's always nice to smell/clean up. Plus various unneutered males causing havoc. These cats have all destroyed my garden. Next door just say "they don't shit in our garden" whilst happily growing loads of veg. Meanwhile I have given up growing anything.

FYI I have a cat. She's an indoors cat. Many reasons but predominantly her own safety from the other cats (that terrify her) or from humans (there are regular reports of poisoning or lamping for dog fights). She seems quite happy.

Why doesn’t anyone seem to be aware of cat fences? They have nice versions available for purchase, some that you can connect to the top of an existing fence. But, our neighbor made their own out of PVC pipe and deer fencing. They’re straight vertical posts that then bend in toward your yard at the top. The inward angle makes it so the cats can’t climb or jump over the top, and they don’t even like trying to climb them because they’re wobbly. Our neighbor’s cats used to roam, but haven’t left the yard since they installed it. Much safer for the kitty than spikes.

You don’t understand what that word means clearly. Your eye-rolling doesn’t change my mind or the fact that cats are let out. You’ll just have to put up with it thankfully.

Humans are becoming increasingly and bizarrely obsessed with trying to control outdoor space.

Imho no. Most people do what they always did. Growing things in their garden.
What has increased is number of cats in my area for example over the years. It's fine if there is one, maybe 2 around, occasional poop or minimal damage. But there are so many now that should your garden become popular or disputed land, you easily end up with 4,5 cats shitting there. That is quite a lot.
And you still have rats😒

Less cruel than what cars do to birds, or to the neighbours having to deal with the cat shit? No, just you anthropomorphising 🙄

I’m more than aware of the concept. But it doesn’t apply when you’re comparing apples with pears.

It’s not about what people “have to do” though, we don’t live in a court room.

It’s about what’s normal and reasonable behaviour. Getting a cat isn’t contentious. Families typically like having pets, it’s normal and they certainly don’t need to be asking permission.

Getting spikes on shared fences is different. It can harm all kinds on animals and wildlife. It’s offensive for both neighbours and it’s unusual practice. Probably less than 1% of neighbours get spikes on fences due to cats in the neighbourhood.

As it’s extreme, you’d have expected neighbour to have raised an issue beforehand. Whether it’s the cat entering her garden or property, pooing constantly, annoying her own pets, whatever it is. Going silent for 3 years and then putting spikes on is abnormal and rude.

Can you really not see this?

Agree.

Some people are ignorant of the concept of a rhetorical question.

So the point therefore is, if OP doesn't have to ask neighbour if she can get a cat, then neighbour doesn't have to ask OP if she can get spikes to deter the cat from entering her garden.

OP - your neighbour clearly has a problem. Either with you guys or herself. It’s not normal behaviour to be kind and welcoming one minute then avoidant and rude the next, over a cat (presumably).

Id suggest approaching her and asking her in a polite and kind way although it sounds like she won’t answer the door to you anyway. In which case fuck it. You’ve tried to engage and if she won’t then that’s on her. She’s a grown woman.

You did nothing wrong getting a cat. Most of my neighbours have cats and we occasionally get cat poo in our garden. It’s annoying but we know there’s nothing they can do about it and it’s fine, it wouldn’t affect our relationship.

I expect your cat will just avoid the spikes but if it causes her harm then I would just get your husband to rip them off - it doesn’t sound like she’s going to say anything to your face. Next time she’s in the greenhouse hiding, put your feet up outside and have a chill garden day; I wonder how long she’ll last before having to come out!

Why don't you just go ask your neighbour?! If she is a woman in her 60s living alone, maybe there is something else going on. Or maybe she just hates your cat. Or maybe she got fed up of your kids' toys ending up in her garden. Or maybe she has heard you all bitching about her and she's upset by it. But we don't know, only she does! So, either accept that she hates you and move on or go round and, without being a dick about it, ask her.

What planet are you on? No one asks their neighbour if they can buy a cat. Cats always explore and poo wherever. It’s what they do and it’s ludicrous to act like OP should have asked neighbour.

I haven't RTFT sorry but this has definitely gone the way of most cat threads, top job everyone 🤣

Someone said people shouldn't own pets that are 100% likely to cause a nuisance to others! Hilarious. But actually yeah, I agree, they shouldn't. They shouldn't own pets that will bark for hours on end, threaten every person to approach the door/gate, shit all over public footpaths, slobber about in cafés and pubs, knock children over, growl and snap at babies in prams, and... what's that other one... oh yeah, kill people.

I also presume everyone here objecting to the free roaming of cats because of the impact on wildlife is also campaigning for the removal of foxes, squirrels, rats, badgers, and gulls from the UK's wild species?

Who do you expect to remove the animal's faeces from her garden? Of course she will be having to clear up your cat shit. She should throw it back over your fence with a shovel.

As this behaviour began after you got the cat, you could have "cooperated" at any time in the last three years. As she has now installed spikes, it is clear you haven't "cooperated" at all. I expect she finds catshit in her yard rude also.

People are getting absolutely fucking ridiculous about cats.

They're not dogs, they're only semi domesticated and they roam.

Humans are becoming increasingly and bizarrely obsessed with trying to control outdoor space.

Whats she going to do about fox shit, or bird shit?

Are those spikes even legal?

No she isn't!

Did you warn your neighbour before getting a cat that would jump over your shared fence, shit in her garden and kill the birds she hangs bird feeders for and frogs that she is fond of?

You want her to communicate about things… but you didn’t.

I wish cat owners would provide litter trays for cats in their own homes and gardens, and out bells on their collars.

Or confine them to their own Catio type gardens, preferably.

But they never do.

Keep your cat indoors, and the problem is solved