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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Got cross - kicked the neighbour's cat

110 replies

TheEffinOasis · 01/04/2011 17:21

Have to qualify this really - it wasn't exactly a send-the-cat-flying-kick but was a little more than a gentle-nudge-with-foot.

This cat is a nasty little bugger, has bitten or scratched both mine and my neighbour's children, plus myself. She comes up to you as if she wants a stroke and then goes for you. She bit my daughter this afternoon totally unprovoked - drew blood - and I got cross. Gave her a bit of a 'shove' with my foot to get her to go away. Now I feel guilty...BUT if she comes near my house she'll probably get the same again. AIBU?

Have a horrible feeling I'm going to get crucifed now. Is it worth mentioning that I have a cat of my own and don't make a habit of this?

OP posts:

thisisyesterday · 01/04/2011 17:22

oh no it's cat and football all over again!

i think you need to tell your daughter not to go anywhere near the thing tbh

Ormirian · 01/04/2011 17:23

A nudge with the foot is not a kick.

I threw a bucket of water at a cat the other day because he kept scrapping with my mog. I think he'll live.

MorticiaAddams · 01/04/2011 17:23

YANBU, serves it right.

Glitterknickaz · 01/04/2011 17:23

I'd be cross but not kick.
Water spray yes, not kick.

Lucyinthepie · 01/04/2011 17:23

Why not leave the cat alone? Don't try to stroke it and tell your daughter not to. Unless the cat raced across the garden to bite your daughter, it wasn't really unprovoked. It doesn't want to be fussed.

Glitterknickaz · 01/04/2011 17:23

a shove with the foot isn't a kick though, is it?

CoventLondon · 01/04/2011 17:24

That is cruel.

Why post? Surely you know you did wrong and you have already said you will get crucified. What do you want people to say? It was fine that you kicked an animal?

My own cat scratched my baby but someone I made do with a tap on her nose and putting her in the garden.

DontGoCurly · 01/04/2011 17:24

I would have been mad too if it bit my child.

Do the owners know it goes around biting children ?

hecate · 01/04/2011 17:25

get a water pistol.

And fwiw, I probably would have done the same if an animal attacked my child. The instinct to get it away is strong. I'd certainly do it if a dog went for my child, although with a dog the potential for harm is far greater, but I am sure that it is possible that I would react like that to a cat biting my child.

And don't allow your children to stroke her again, no matter how nicely she comes up to her.

Get that water pistol and give her a squirt every time she comes to your house. Don't give her any attention in the street.

worraliberty · 01/04/2011 17:25

Is your daughter a baby or old enough to be told to stop paying the cat attention?

BringBackGoingForGold · 01/04/2011 17:26

I'd say don't feel bad about it (obviously you didn't really hurt the cat or you'd have mentioned it), but agree that if you know this is how the cat plays things then just stop trying to stroke her and tell your daughter to do the same.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 01/04/2011 17:28

well this won't kick off in any way

Ephiny · 01/04/2011 17:28

Is this an april fool?

On the chance that it isn't - YABU. Cats only scratch someone who's trying to stroke or touch or pick them up, generally if you leave them alone they'll leave you alone - I've never heard of a cat chasing after someone and attacking them unprovoked!

Some cats do lash out like this, you just learn your lesson and don't try to pet that particular cat again, and make sure your children don't bother her. You don't kick a tiny animal like that .

lubeybooby · 01/04/2011 17:31

YABVVVU

Get a water pistol.

KatiePricey · 01/04/2011 17:33

Flipping annoying cats traipsing through other people's gardens and shitting all over the place. Hate them and wish people would stop keeping them

Goblinchild · 01/04/2011 17:34

If you know that she's dangerous, why stroke her?
Teach your daughter to stay away from the animal.
Yes to a water pistol or throwing a handful of earth if you want her to keep away, but cats break very easily if you shove or kick them

Original poster

TheEffinOasis · 01/04/2011 17:34

Wow! that was bloody quick!

I posted because I had a total knee-jerk reaction, got cross, did it and now feel guilty. I've never done it before and consider myself an animal lover. I have to say it was nowhere near a kick and would definitely not have harmed her but I do still feel bad about it because I did it in anger more than for any other reason.

However, we do not approach this cat ever. When we sit out in the garden it approaches us all the time - all the children are warned not to stroke, touch or approach it because it is well known for scratching and biting. But it actually comes up to you as if it wants affection and then just has a go. It walked up to my two year old son just the other week and scratched him when he wasn't even aware that it was there. It does belong to my neighbour but does not live in the house, I really do believe she is almost feral.

I plan to get a water pistol to keep out the front and when she comes to my house I will squirt her to get her to go away. I don't believe that is cruel as it won't hurt her.

My response to you Covent is why not post? What's this board for if not to canvas opinion? Many thanks for yours - I'd just like to know what people think. I obviously feel that my reaction was partially unreasonable but also feel in some way justified. Which is why I'm here...

OP posts:

Spidermama · 01/04/2011 17:34

It attacked your child. You reprimanded it physically. ANY animal would do the same. Nuff said.

Cats are perfectly capable of scratching and biting for nothing. I've been lured into stroking a cat who then turned on me and mauled my hand and had a thoroughly enjoyable time doing so taking advantage of my good nature.

No. They deserve to be corrected.

As you say, it's not a proper kick ... more of a fucking good foot push.

zukiecat · 01/04/2011 17:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Goblinchild · 01/04/2011 17:35

Bucket of water then, and teach your two year old to use a water pistol.

Spidermama · 01/04/2011 17:35

I would keep a loaded water pistol or washing up bottle filled with water in the garden for the next time. A few squirts and it should steer clear.

bubblecoral · 01/04/2011 17:36

yanbu.

An unprovoked animal drew blood out of your child. Too right it deserved a kick! So do it's owners, I'd be taking pictures of the marks it left and go round there and tell them to keep their evil animal indoors or the cat would somehow find itself a long way from home.

Spidermama · 01/04/2011 17:36

'House cats'? Poor fuckers.

I'd rather be a garden cat and suffer the odd foot push than be trapped indoors 24/7.

zukiecat · 01/04/2011 17:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nijinsky · 01/04/2011 17:38

Please don't kick animals (they are smaller than you and their internal organs can get bruised) and please don't teach your children to do this either. Learn to use body language, shout, clap your hands, use a water pistol, etc but please please don't teach children that it is acceptable to use force against animals.

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