My neighbour has asked me to pick up my cat's poo from their garden. Literally she wants to be able to call on me to come and pick it up on an as and when basis.

[pingu2209]

I have 2 cats. They have only just started going outside, about 1 month so far. I still have a litter tray at home and they do use it but they are also beginning to 'go' outside too.

My view is that cats should not be locked in doors. I had to keep them indoors for the first 6th months because I was told by the shelter that they needed their injections, be neutered and micro chipped before they could venture outside and all that wasn't done till they were 6 months old.

I keep my cats up to date with their injections and worm/flee ointment - well they are only 7 months old at the moment, but I fully intend to keep them up to date.

There are other cats in the area. The house behind mine has 2 big cats and we are in a rural area with foxes. Also, my neighbours have a dog. Nice dog, sometimes it barks but it isn't really a problem if I'm honest. I like dogs as much as cats, I'm not anti dogs or anything.

Am I legally obliged to pick up my cats poo?

I've spoken to my mother and she has told me that I should pick up my cat's poo if the neighbour asks. The thing is, I may have to go round there each day or two to do it.

prettymeerkat I have seen a cat poo on my lawn.

With MY OWN EYES.

Not a fox, a cat. It wasn't even a ginger one

I don't know when some people who don't like cats became quite so precious, but it is NOT normal to demand that cat owners pick up poo. Never heard of such a ridiculous demand until it started cropping up on MN. Everyone here is an adult, surely you are aware that throughout your entire existence in this country, no-one has gone around picking up after cats?

Cats are not like dogs. They are not under their owner's control. The law recognises this. Owners don't take them for walks.

And if you object to cats shitting in your garden, what are you going to do about the birds? And foxes? And hedgehogs? And mice? And every other non-human animal that crosses your patch?

What a horrible neighbour you are OP.

If you gave me the line you're planning to give your neighbours, I'd save you the trouble of coming round for 'fresh' 'moist' poos. I'd be chucking every one into your garden from now on. Many years of happy neighbourly relations ahead.

A masters you say.

Tell her to turn the hose on them, they'll soon stop going in her garden.

it is NOT normal to demand that cat owners pick up poo. Never heard of such a ridiculous demand until it started cropping up on MN. Everyone here is an adult, surely you are aware that throughout your entire existence in this country, no-one has gone around picking up after cats?

My thoughts exactly. It is such a strange suggestion that I find it impossible to put into words why it is strange.

Maybe it should be normal, just as its normal to expect dog owners to pick up after their petds

What a thoroughly nasty person you are OP and your husband sounds even more delightful.

I would throw it over the fence and if the police were called so be it. Alternatively I would turn the hose on full force on your cats and hopefully get rid of them that way.

As for the argument re mice, foxes and birds etc that is nonsense as they are not 'owned' by anyone. Your cats are owned by you.

I'm sick of both my neighbours' cats using my garden as a toilet. It stinks. I can't even weed a bed without encountering several fresh turds. I'd love my kids to help me in the garden but every time they do it's so gross they run a mile. It's properly anti social and un neighbourly to make no effort to get your pet to go on your property.

I'm not saying this about you, OP I'm saying that about my neighbours. I don't think I'd mind so much if the cats in question stopped by ours once in a while, or showed us a teeny bit of love but they're all cold eyed killers around here who spend more time prowling around our chubby little guinea pigs than coming up for a cuddle.

Your neighbour's request is a little odd, but rather understandable.

And I also have seen cats pooing on my lawn. Admittedly, the grass was a bit long but it was definitely at it alright!

of course you should go to clean up her garden after your cats, just as soon as she has had it DNA tested to be sure its your cat that has left the deposit

And yes, cats are a choice - the other animals are not.

ThierryHenryismyBoyfriend They may be a pet but they are still a wild animal.

MissBetsyTrotwood They are a choice? So should we have them all exterminated then? Make them extinct? They are not a choice, they just are!

Oh fgs I didn't say that. Of course you can choose whether or not you own a cat. Read my first post. I like em. I just don't like them pooing in my garden.

meerkat, noone is saying that you shouldnt own cats, or they should be exterminated (where the fuck are you getting that from?) it is simply being suggested that since you made the choice to own a pet, you should take responsibility for cleaning up after it. its not an outrageous suggestion, but rather a fair one.

It is a pet which is a wild animal, which roams far and wide, and so impossible to clear up ALL it's poo. Just like if you owned pidgeons for example.

thats a fair point, but if your pet is crapping in a neighbours toilet, why shouldnt you pick it up? I understand the "they roam too far" argument, but if its on the same street, why not?

you are not responsible for wild animals' vet bills/food etc so does that mean u dont feed your cat or look after its health?

its either your animal or a wild animal its staus doesn't change to suit the owner.

either you are responsible for your cat and ALL its care or your not

Pretty, it's not a wild animal in this case. They have been got as family pets and as such they are responsible for all that entails and not just the bits and pieces they want to be responsible for.

What does the law say about cat fouling?

There are no laws regarding cats and fouling in the UK (2010). The cat caretaker (not deemed an owner) is not held to be responsible for the consequences of their cat trespassing. It is a criminal offence to put down poison or set snares for a cat.

Update 6th July 2010: reinforcing the points made earlier. Stealing a cat can put you in prison.

ALSO

Unlike dogs there are no laws regarding cats and fouling.

A cat holds a unique position in law in that the owner of the cat is not held to be responsible for the consequences of any trespass by the cat. It is an offence to put down poison or set snares for a cat.

The majority of cats are meticulous about burying their faeces. Dominant uncastrated tomcats may not bury their faeces to demonstrate that they are the 'top cat' in the area. It is therefore sensible to make sure your cat is neutered; you'll also be helping to reduce the vast number of unwanted kittens born every year.

Since cats bury their faeces, they need a suitable area for this purpose. If one is not provided the cat will use newly-dug ground, especially the fine earth of a seed bed, for preference.

They will also like fallen leaves, grass cuttings, pebbles on drives and sand pits. They may also like long grass if the earth is too hard in which to dig a hole.

well pingu, you have the law on your side, so why let a silly thing like health hazards, and manners get in the way? you really do sound awful. you give cat owners a bad name.

Couldn't agree more lissielou.

pingu, how are you encouraging your cats to go in your garden rather than hers? Fresh dug earth? Sand? Litter tray?

Perhaps you could solve all this by stopping them shitting in her garden?

What's all the obsession about the law?

I don't pick up my dog's poo because I'm legally obliged to. I do it because it's the responsible considerate thing to do.

If we all behaved to a minumum standard required to avoid breaking the law it would be a sorry state of affairs.

Yes! They meticulously bury their faeces in my flower beds. And my herb bed. And my vegetable plot. Absolutely disgusting.

I think I'd prefer it if they just did it somewhere I could see it, not somewhere I stick my (gloved) hands into only for them to emerge stinking.

Giraffe - My husband has dug up a large triangle of flower bed in a sheltered area near our back door and sprinkled used litter on there. We also still have a litter tray inside, which they still use. I have seen them wee on the flower bed, but I haven't seen them poo. I get loads of poos in the litter tray.

It isn't as though I have done nothing to encourage them to 'go' in their own garden.