Cat swiped at DS, AIBU not to want to get rid of him?

[Hairynigel]

Get rid of the cat obvs, not DS.
DS snook up on him and squealed in his face, Cat took a short swipe and left 2 small scratches on his face.
Generally Cat doesn't have a problem with DS, he gets up and wanders off somewhere else if DS is annoying him, this has never happened before.

Just told DP and now he wants to get rid of Cat. He has never liked Cat and is always looking for reasons to rehome him. Cat is 123 years old and unlikely to be rehomed.

AIBU for wanting to keep him, even though he took a swipe at DS?

i think if someone crept up on me and did that i would lamp them 1 too!
not a good enough reason to rehome the cat.

Well maybe he won't squeal in its face next time. So long as the cat doesn't attack without provocation and your son is old enough to learn from experience, the cat offers a useful lesson in 'other people / creatures having feelings too' and animals being different from people, so needing to learn about and respect their needs.

I grew up with quite a wild and scratchy cat, from age 3. Not the ideal family pet and I can't tell you how many times I was scratched. I retain a residual fear of looking over the back of furniture, as she used to lurk there and leap up, claws out and probably did catch me on the face once - probably after I'd been annoying her. In retrospect, I feel rather sorry for cats that have to put up with over-friendly / curious / unkind children. I still like cats though, most of them are much nicer!

The good news for your DP is that your cat is 12, so won't be around for ever. An ageing cat isn't going to be much of a threat but will need gentle treatment.

YANBU. It's not as if the cat ran up and attacked for no reason, it was just frightened/defending itself, and will presumably keep out of your son's way once you move. I'd re - home the husband first but then I am a mad cat lady