To want to kill this cat?

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Looked out my window this afternoon while cleaning (and still feeling smug about it ) and saw next door's cat shitting on my garden [mad]

I went out to chase it away to find that it clearly isn't the first time it's done this!! Now my garden needs a mow as it hasn't been done since november (bloody rain) so I haven't seen the sea of shit that now hides in my grass. Pissed off doesn't even come close, I live in the country FFS and surrounded by fields so it's not like it's lacking in places to have a crap [mad]

How can I stop it shitting in my garden? My toddler has just started playing in the garden again now the weather is a bit better, I really don't want him to go blind!!! (ok so a bit melodramatic but still!)

Some disgusting people on this thread. What nasty little lives you must lead. Why not expend some energy in dealing with the real culprits for fucking up the environment?
I bet you all have nasty little puckered up faces that make a cat's arse look attractive.

Wow, MsMc! What a beneficial addition to the debate that was! Well done. Very informative.

I don't have a personal phobia but my dd and 3 of her friends do after bad experiences. Maybe its just the dog owners around here then. I honestly have not had any bad experiences with cats, but too many to count with dogs and children. I'm trying to be rational, but my experiences obviously cloud my judgement. There is nothing wrong with the majority of dogs (some of them are very sweet) or dog owners but the occasional catastrophic incidents make me think cats are less of a problem pet. Cat shit in gardens vs constant yapping, attacks, and rare fatalities makes me see dogs as generally more antisocial. Seems I'm in the minority in this opinion though.

No problem. Anytime...

Amantes, don't you know any cat owners who have indoor cats? It's increasingly popular because of the dangers to cats that roam (cars, dogs, foxes, other cats, sadists, and thieves in the case of pedigree cats). My cats live indoors and seem to be perfectly capable of expressing their cat instincts without bothering anyone.

I know dog owners who live in rural areas and it's a whole different thing to keeping a dog in the city - as long as the dog doesn't worry the sheep it can go where it wants and there doesn't seem to be a dog shit problem. So I can see how free roaming dogs can be fine in the country, but yeah, it's not great in the city.

What I'd really like to see is cat-friendly areas of parks where I could walk my cats on a harness without them being chased by dogs. Obviously I'd pick up their shit!

There was a similar theme in a letter written to a local paper in Cornwall. It was aimed at horse riders, suggesting that there should be legislation making them clear up horse poo as they went on hacks.

The thought of going off on a ride with a bag and shovel strapped to the saddle, then jumping off, holding onto the horse whilst trying to shovel poo into a bag, possibly on a road with traffic going past. Then jumping back on with the poo bag and shovel in hand. Made me laugh so much.

So the consensus from the cat owners is that using a water pistol is the way to deter cats?

Not 'yes we'll take responsibility for our pets' but 'we can't be arsed dealing with our animals ourselves but we expect you to have the time and inclination to monitor your gardens 24/7 to stop them behaving in an antisocial manner'

It doesn't get much more selfish that that does it?

Amantes, don't you know any cat owners who have indoor cats?

No, I'm afraid not. I currently live in a rural hamlet and for each family, there are 1-2 dogs and 2-4 cats. Despite being surrounded by miles and miles of countryside, the cats crap only on our gardens, the majority of which are patios.

I don't have cats but I've just collected another half a carrier bags worth of cat crap, from just one side of my garden. Ironically, the half my dogs don't use, to (supposedly!) keep it clean for the dc.

It's nice to hear that your cats do just fine inside, Sorcha. Dogs in many countries do free roam. The UK has made efforts to ensure dog owners act responsibly. I believe cat owners should be made to as well, particularly if a rise in indoor kept cats, helps to evidence their suitability to becoming indoor pets

My cats were indoor cats but when I moved to a house there was no way of containing the beggars, they'd lie in wait of the door opening then fly out. They've never stopped using the litter tray though and I certainly haven't discouraged them, would hate for them to come to harm because they were messing in someone's garden. As someone mentioned up thread I think it would really help if people had an expectation of keeping the litter tray, I know it wouldn't stop it all but it would help.

HaveTea - do they ever disappear for days on end? my cats are indoor only but we're moving soon and I'd hoped to let them into the garden(s) and apart from their being eaten by some predator, the other thing that worries me is someone temporarily "adopting" and over-feeding them...

CalicoBlue That makes me chuckle!
I have no problem with horse poo, it breaks down quickly and is good for the roses.
Cat poo on the other hand... Well, that shit on my cobbles is still there. It's changed shape a bit, but I still think I'm looking at a six month wait for it to break down... Nice.
I can't wait to search for all the buried poo in my back garden, that the little bastards helpfully buried over the winter... That just stinks and gets stuck to my non poo flinging trowel.

Cats are evil creatures! I cannot see how cat owners think it's ok that their little darlings shit in other people's gardens and am sick to death of my kids going out to play in OUR garden and treading in cat shit.

They are the only domestic pet that the owner does not have to clear up after it. If cat owners think it's so ok I am sorely tempted to collect all the little darling's delightful deposits in a bin liner and empty it in their front garden!

Rich has just proved why uncontrolled dogs are a menance, its one thing to kill a cat, another a child, and let's not pretend that doesn't happen. So many times a dog has been straining against its lead to get to my dd and I just think why have an animal like that? Its completely irresponsible

And you have just proven that you know nothing about dogs. Do you even know what a sighthound is? Yes, they're fucking dangerous if you're a small furry, not so much if you're a person or another dog and funnily enough they don't mistake children for rabbits. In fact I'd go as far as saying that the various breeds of sighthounds have a reputation for being incredibly gentle with humans. And not all dogs that are straining to get to your DD want to hurt her. My dog may strain if she met your DD, especially if your DD was acting in a friendly manner - children mean cuddles as far as she is concerned!