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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this dog should be on a lead?

32 replies

NoFoodwithaFace · 11/04/2012 09:32

I really don't know whether to say something or if this was a freak accident!

We live in a ground floor flat, so the cat gets let out via our bedroom window that backs onto a gated communal car park, little grassy area and the bins. Woke up this morning after DP had gone to work and DS (7months) was still in our bed. I lent across and opened the window just as a man with his lurcher/whippet type dog was taking his bins out. He shouted whatch it! Dog ran at us I managed to scoop cat up with one arm and shut window with the other. Dog was snarling and barking and jumping at the window. I shut the blinds as cat was nearly having a heart attack! So didn't hear if the owner made comment.

It's not a vicious dog at all, I've seen it many times before we got the cat, he always goes with owner to bins etc and i've never given it a second thought! But I just keep thinking about what would of happened if I hadn't shut the window in time, like I said DS was in the bed below the window so he could of jumped in or anything! and poor pussy cat wouldn't of had a chance. He's now cowering under the bed shaking :(

Should I tell the owner the dog should be on a lead? There is more than 10 cats from surrounding flats that are let out into the grass/car park bit!

OP posts:

FallenCaryatid · 11/04/2012 09:42

Yes, it should have been, and I'd ask the man to do so next time.
Although I do love cats, if you are letting them out into a communal area they have to take their chances with traffic, dogs and whatever else is trying to kill them, so I wouldn't use that as a reason to a dog owner.

Lurcher/whippet/greyhound types often chase cats, the problem would have been worse if it had been so focused on the cat that it followed it into the bedroom through the window. Your son could have been in danger, and that is the point I would make politely and firmly to the man.

AutumnSummers · 11/04/2012 09:50

Is it not law that dogs are to be on a lead?

FallenCaryatid · 11/04/2012 09:53

I have no idea, there seems to be so many exemptions and reasons why not.
That said, the dog shooting season has begun in Sussex, so let's hope that all those dog owners who are taking walks on the Downs with their dogs keep them on leads as the farmers are very quick on the trigger.
For which the sheep are grateful.

pjmama · 11/04/2012 09:53

If he always does this with his dog and there's never been a problem before, I'd just check next time before you open the window to let your cat out.

bemybebe · 11/04/2012 10:02

"Is it not law that dogs are to be on a lead?"

Not as far as I know, but they should not cause any damage to others' property whilst out in public places (sorry to speak like this about your cat).

I would speak to the owner and explain that whilst I totally understand the difficulties he faces in controlling his dog (racing breeds, exp ex-racers, have a very strong urge to chase small animals, this is what they were bred to do), it is not acceptable to you, you fear for your cat and you will have to report the dog to the local dog warden if the owner does not cooperate. I would also enquire from the dog warden if there were any reports of killed cats in your area.

Shitty for all concerned but I am with you OP.

Original poster

NoFoodwithaFace · 11/04/2012 14:21

I think i'm going to say something! I don't want to let the cat out until I have though, just in case! I don't know how an issue hasn't been raised before because there is loads of cats around! I'm an animal person so the last thing I want to do is report the dog, I might threaten it though!

OP posts:

Birdsgottafly · 11/04/2012 14:28

Mixed feelings, because the dog isn't dangerous to people.

It is a breed that will chase cats and small animals.

Your cat is an animal that will chase and kill small animals and birds, though.

Birdsgottafly · 11/04/2012 14:29

*I'm an animal person so the last thing I want to do is report the dog, I might threaten it though!

Your cat doesn't have the right to life above another animal, just because it's your pet, though,so i would think about that.

I have two cats as well as a dog.

Original poster

NoFoodwithaFace · 11/04/2012 14:33

Yes but none of my neighbours have pet birds that they let out. And he's got a bad leg so he couldn't catch a thing anyway.

If my cat was attacking another cat I wouldn't let him out! He's very friendly and is quite partial to the fluffy ginger cat opposite.

What is your point birds i said i'd never do that, but I'd mention it if the man was shirty towards me. I know my cat doesn't have any rights above any other animal, including his dog, who doesn't have the right to attack my cat and come in through my window onto my sleeping baby!

OP posts:

Kladdkaka · 11/04/2012 14:38

Is it not law that dogs are to be on a lead?

The dog was off lead in a gated communal area not out in public. Kind of like being off lead in his garden, except it's a garden shared with others. This makes it not quite so black and white. Also not so sure who the OP would report it to.

FallenCaryatid · 11/04/2012 14:38

'What is your point birds i said i'd never do that, but I'd mention it if the man was shirty towards me. I know my cat doesn't have any rights above any other animal, including his dog, who doesn't have the right to attack my cat and come in through my window onto my sleeping baby!'

Don't get muddled OP. I dislike dogs, but your argument for asking for the dog to be on a lead can't involve cat v dog because both are equal in their owners' eyes.
As for baby v dog, you have a bit more of a case.
If the dog chased the cat into your home through the window, that could be very dangerous for your child and that is the only argument that has a chance of being listened to.

Original poster

NoFoodwithaFace · 11/04/2012 14:43

Well I do agree dog vs baby is the most important, but dog vs cat is also important. If he knows the dog is a danger to cats and there are cats out there, then its should be his responsibility as an owner surely. My cats not doing anyone harm! If you have a dog thats vicious towars other animals then it's not the other owners responsibility to keep them in so the vicous animal has free reign surely?

He has his own garden as some houses share the flats communal area, so no need for the dog to even be out. I'm going to have a look because we're not even allowed to loiter or sit out on the communal grass so I don't know what the rules are about dogs!

OP posts:

FallenCaryatid · 11/04/2012 14:47

I think cats count as wild animals in the eyes of the law, hence why they can trespass on other people's property and you are not liable as the owner.
So a dog killing one counts the same as if it had caught a wild rabbit.

Chilenachica · 11/04/2012 14:57

YANBU

I never take my dogs anywhere without a lead on. Do you know if the owner took the dog to the bins, or if the dog slipped out through the door to follow? If the later then he needs to be more careful, and yes a dog can get away from the owner in a flash, but that's why they should be on a lead or otherwise contained. If I don't want the dogs to get out I shut them in a room while I have the front door open.

higgle · 11/04/2012 15:03

Most dogs will get excited and try to get to a cat, the overwhelming majority are very friendly to babies and children.

Original poster

NoFoodwithaFace · 11/04/2012 15:12

chilenachica he didn't slip out, i've seen him a lot, he just lets the dog out of the garden to walk to the bins with him, and then they go back inside. The main entrace is via the front of the house so don't see them daily, So it's unpredictable when the dog will next be out!

higgle he is friendly to humans, but if he'd jumped into my bedroom when the baby was on the bed, he's be after the cat and riled up so who knows what he'd do. Plus he would of felt trapped aswell.

fallen think your right since it's legal to hit and cat and keep going but you must stop for a dog. but i'm not talking legally, i'dprobably report him to the company that runs the buildings/car park!

If my cats out I have to leave the window open, so he could actually make it in next time.

OP posts:

theodorakis · 11/04/2012 15:54

I have had a similar accident with my dog, no harm done and a very red faced apology to the cat owner. I do agree that cats have to take their chances to an extent but in my case the lead slipped out of my hand, he doesn't chase cats but still gave the owner (not the cat) a scare and I was really sorry and have made sure the lead is always around my wrist since. I have come across some right bastards who think it's funny that their dogs chase cats but to be fair it doesn't sound like this guy was one of those. Either way, maybe a cat flap in the glass would give your cat freedom but an escape route. Horrid thing to happen, really sorry.

ClaireAll · 11/04/2012 15:58

Dogs chase cats, cats run away. It is a fact of life.

The dog would still have gone after the cat, the cat would still have run back through your window.

Your cat could be like my next door neighbour's. It sits on our living room window ledge and torments my dog, who then barks until she is hoarse.

I would not have the nerve to ask a neighbour to keep their dog on a lead because of your cat.

GrimmaTheNome · 11/04/2012 16:04

The dog should be under control. If this hasn't happened before, the owner probably thought that it was the case, hadn't anticipated the reaction of his dog to seeing your cat. Hopefully he'll be more careful from now on, now he knows his dog may chase a cat.

We have lots of cats who loll in the cul-de-sac - even on our drive. Our last dog, I'd have had to put him on the lead or carry to the car if a cat was around. The current one - they just look at each other like this and leave be. He's under sufficient control without physical restraint.

ClaireAll · 11/04/2012 16:06

I hardly think a dog chasing a cat is a control issue. The cat disappears, crisis over.

It's not as if the dog chased across a highway and caused cars to crash. Even my very stupid dog is not that stupid.

2shoes · 11/04/2012 16:09

perhaps he was scared you cat would scratch his dog.....

GrimmaTheNome · 11/04/2012 16:13

I hardly think a dog chasing a cat is a control issue. The cat disappears, crisis over.

The thing about lurcher/whippet/greyhounds is that (unlike most breeds) they're fast enough to actually catch a cat. So owners do need to be that bit more careful. And in the OPs case, it seemed like it wanted to follow the cat through the open window.

ClaireAll · 11/04/2012 16:20

That's the dog-eat-cat world that they inhabit.

Does anyone worry about mice and cats?

It nature!

FallenCaryatid · 11/04/2012 16:24

Our neighbour had a rescue greyhound that ripped a cat to pieces, and when the neighbour's wife tried to stop it, she was badly bitten too.
So a room with a terrified cat, a screaming baby and a fired-up lurcher doesn't sound a good mixture to me.
The scariest thing that ever happened to me in this sort of area was with our cat and my son who has AS and adores the cat. Centre of his universe.
It was chased by a dog onto our property, and we were just coming home. The the dog was barking, and I turned round to see DS in instant meltdown who roared like the Hulk, grabbed the dog by collar and tail threw it into the road, over a 5' wall. The dog ran like fuck and I haven't seen it since. It was a staffie type, so heavy and not used to flying. Not a mark on DS.
I couldn't believe what he'd done, he was around 10 at the time.

theodorakis · 11/04/2012 16:34

That's not ok either in my opinion

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