How would you react if you saw a 3 yo trying to deliberately step on a cat's tail?

[TotesDelulu]

For context, child is 3.8 (4 this summer), the parent is my friend who was out of sight at the far end of the garden (it's a big garden) making a phone call. Cat is 15 with arthritis and was snoozing in the sun.

I was inside washing up and looking out if the closed kitchen window when I saw child looking down at floor and moving strangely. I stood on tiptoes and moved to the side to get a view of child's feet and realised they were trying to step on the cat's swishing tail. I yelled "[CHILD] STOP IT, YOU DO NOT STEP ON THE CAT'S TAIL" extremely loudly through the window just as the child's foot came down on the end of cat's tail. Child jumped backwards then looked round to see who had shouted. I went and opened back door, crouched down and said "[Child] I need to talk to you" at normal volume and in a normal tone of voice but child ran off toward friend who had heard me shout and come to see what the problem was.

Friend has now got the hump and gone home because a) they don't shout and b) child claims not to have been stepping on tail. I don't usually shout either especially not at other people's DC, but child was outside, no parent in sight, windows and doors shut, and I was worried for my poor old cat and wanted to intervene fast enough to prevent a tail injury!

I am absolutely 100% certain that's what child was doing, I would never have shouted had I not been certain.

So how would anyone else have reacted?

I would have done just the same.

I would have done the same. I’d have also done the same if I saw a strangers kid doing similar on the street!

I would have done the same.

Your friend is a moron.

Also would have done the same thing. And I'm not shouty at all, but in the circumstances what else could you have been expected to do!

Well done you. If the child had been closer it would have had a right telling off ( if it were me).

I've zero tolerance for cruelty to animals.

Tbf I did really shout. But I'm not sure normal speaking volume or a slightly raised voice would have been heard through the windows. As soon as I was within speaking distance I did try and speak calmly to the child!

Exactly as you did. Your friend needs a talking to as well, if she can’t see how problematic this is.

I'd have done exactly the same as you. You did nothing wrong.

Exactly like that.

Had I been within reach I would have swept the child up before their feet returned to the ground, for the safety of them both. A cat can do a nasty injury if it needs to, and 3 yr olds are small.

Parent didn't see it happen so maintains child would never do that, thinks I'm mistaken and should believe child (who says they didn't do it).

I would have shouted and probably banged on the window for good measure!
Your friend is a bit of a Pratt for not believing you, I would never assume a 3 year old is telling the truth over an adult. Balance of probabilities, who gains th most from lying...

I would not have been so restrained, but at least one of our cats would have had the little brat’s eyes!

Most people would have done the same, your friend is out of order.

I would've done the same.

Surely anyone who lives with a 3 yo knows they get some truly batshit ideas at times, it's not as serious as an older child doing it. No need for angst.

I’d have done the same and expected an apology.

I would have done exactly the same. Children need to learn that a) animal cruelty is abhorrent, and b) its not just mum and dad that are able to tell them off.

You did everything right.
I would do the same if I were you. I would recommend to your friend to have a conversation with child about animals

Different circumstance, but we were once at a resort swimming pool with our friends and their children. We were in different parts of the pool, and their DD was with us, going round a rapid/whirlpool situation. So far, so normal.
Until their DD (8) decided to jump on to my DD's shoulders and push her under the water, keeping hold of her whilst she did it.
I screeched the child's name like a horrible old fish wife, and told her to get off my DD NOW.
Afterwards, I was a little embarrassed at my tone and volume, but saying that, I'd probably do exactly the same again.
It was sheer panic.
I told her parents what had happened, and that I'd given her a telling off. If my friends had a problem with that, it could stay that way - their problem.

I think op I probably wouldn't have shouted but I'd have still banged on the window and run out and spoken to them. But moreso because frightening the child might have made them step on the cat accidentally anyway.

If your friend has just heard you roaring at their 3 year old I can also see why they're upset, if they've heard the shouting and not processed that you were inside and far away.

I would just leave it tbh. Parent should be accepting that you saw what you saw and sometimes small children lie, especially if they think they're in real trouble which is likely if they were shouted at and aren't used to that. It would have been a very different conversation had your cat turned round and defended itself so your friend needs to catch on

In an ideal world I would have gently told the child not to do that and had a conversation about kind hands and feet etc ,but on the spur of the moment I would have probably reacted just as you did.

Unless the child has special needs or very little guidance from parents, they'll understand it's not right to hurt animals. My priority would have been protecting the cat - end of.

I'd warn the 3yo that cats scratch and bite. If they didn't listen I'd wait for the inevitable. Cats aren't daft.

I'd have done the same.

It's a good thing you shouted because perhaps the shock will stay with the child and prevent it from doing that kind of thing again.

I really really dislike fucking sactimonious parents whose awful children can do no wrong.
In the interest of clarity, I also dislike cats ( sorry ! ) but would absolutely have shouted and told the little shit off, good for you - poor old cat.
Your friend is pathetic.

I’d have done exactly the same and I’d expect the friend to take my word for it .