My cats and cat poo in neighbours' gardens

[Blahdeblah1]

I moved into my house a year ago and have three cats. My neighbours are all quite elderly and have lived there for decades, they are all keen gardeners and very proud of their gardens.

Several months ago my next door neighbour started complaining to me about my cats pooing on his drive, so every time I go round and clear it up. Although to be honest I'm not convinced that the poo is from my cats.

Anyway, I'm now having complaints about cat poo from people who live way down the street, that my cats are pooing in their garden, although they admitted they hadn't actually seen the cat that did it. I live on a large suburban housing estate where there are loads of cats.

AIBU for thinking that cats are cats and I shouldn't be expected to be picking up any cat poo really, and to tell my neighbours to deal with it themselves and stop complaining to me? I can't control where my cats poo, they are not dogs.

every day for years? That's ok to you is? That's a cost.

I don't see the problem, it's the cost of having a garden- animals, owned or not, will shit in it.

lashes sorry but you really are being dense here.

Do many animals come and shit in people's gardens regularly? The odd bear? Llama?

Granted people in some areas get the odd fox, but there's absolutely nothing to be done about that. However the owners of the cat, if found to be shitting in someones garden, could at least apologise because its THEIR CAT.

As a comparison to your argument, do you thing dog owners should pick up their dog's poo? Yes? If so, why if it's no different to other animal shit?

No lashes - you have entirely failed to acknowledge that people are caused distress by cat owners whose pets shit in their garden.

Whether or not you choose to be distressed is your affair. Given the large number of responses on this thread alone, you cannot continue to dismiss others' distress.

I would happily argue for domestic cats to be phased out except for people on large enough properties to contain the ubiquitous territorial shitting.

You could have licenses for pet cats and they could be fitted with chips that set off cat irritant noises in others' gardens. You could make owners pay for the technology which would prevent cats from crapping on other people's property. Until then, don't have a cat. Feral cats would die out eventually. Fine with me a few generations and no more cats, loads more birds.

Grays

I wasn't really thinking bears, more cats, foxes, birds, other native wildlife...

If it's on the path, but I would say if your cat pooed on the pavement it should be cleaned up - because the pavement is used for walking. However gardens, where many wild creatures live, is fair game

"Fair game"

You are literally an ethical vacuum.

Nigel that's actually a very horrible viewpoint, and shows you have little regard for cats. As I said, clearly just a cat hater.

Cannot stand people who don't like animals

'the pavement is being used for walking'

Well what do you think gardens are for, being looked at? Gardens are there to be walked in, played in, sunbathed in...

It's exactly the same thing.

And I'm not sure what your garden's like but mine isn't home to 'wild creatures' large enough to leave shits big enough to have to be picked up. The neighbours cats though however...

Nigel and your arguments have NOTHING TO BACK IT UP as I have repeatedly said. So flinging insults doesn't change that.

Next time I have to write this ill bold it. Maybe I'll ask MNHQ if we can have special fonts.

None of this fictional wild poo is causing anyone any distress.

we are all talking about the persistent problem of the crapping of the domestic cat. It is a particular problem for those of us without a cat. You have no idea, I suspect how much shite your fluffy bago'shite produces because we're clearing it up for you!

I am not an animal hater, I like cats. I just would't have one because I think it would be cruel to keep it in and ethically indefensible to have a pet that shits on other people's property.

I have just made a simple argument. That is what an argument is.

Grays

Gardens can be used for that but they are primarily home to animals. Humans are so egotistical it's untrue - why on Earth do people think they have a right to dictate how animals use the land? It really winds me up - have compassion for other species.

Nigel but why is a cat poo WORSE than any other poo? The only reason you've come up with is that cats have owners, which means the actual poo isn't what's bothering you. It's the fact the owners aren't "responsible" that annoys you, isn't it.

Nobody has a problem with any wild animal here. It is the massive domination of the domestic cat of UK gardens and the effect on birdlife I haven't even touched upon.

There, lets trade the ethics or your cat's rights over the wild bird population.

I'd like to see you climb on that ethical horse.

lashes there is no other poo in my garden from any other animal!

Why are you talking about other animals? They are not a problem!

Oh but it seems she can, Boo

I have no ethical or medical argument.

Mine is in the simplest of forms - it stinks, its's disgusting and I hate having to clean up MY garden.

And no, it isn't a fox, no it's not buried. Yes it is a cat, because I've caught the little fucker in the act.

I also object to spending my cash on deterrents.

I still can't believe the couple of posters who think their cats' rights grump everyone else's

And the fucking gold award goes to the poster that suggested telling your neighbour you are going to blast the little fucker with a water pistol. - in case the cat is upset. FFS

I've asked you time and time again what is unethical about animal poo outdoors and you have failed to answer me.

I think you're being deliberately obtuse. One must accept wild animal poo in the garden, because there is simply no-one to hold to account.

Domesticated animals, on the other hand, are not naturally occurring and have owners.

Would you tolerate dog poo in your garden, lashes?

Oh jesus christ. Okay well I'll just drop off a load of dogs to live in your garden shall I lashes. You won't be able to complain because 'its primarily home to animals'

You're making some ridiculous arguments now.

Cats aren't wild animals. Gardens aren't home to cats.

.

In parting all I am saying is that because you can't control your pet's crapping, then you shouldn't have that pet.

Owning a roaming domestic cat is absolutely indefensible imo.

That is an argument and I believe it to be true.

Goodbye, I can honestly say i don't care about any animal shitting in my garden, cats, dogs, whatever. Because I have better things to do than get angry about poo...

nigel I agree with you 100% and have admired your valiant efforts through this thread.

I hope that a cat's "right to roam" is repealed sooner rather than later.

I find it hard to believe that you'd be happy to have a dog pooing in your garden. I really do.

I'd just like to add that I'm a massive animal lover and campaigner, but as animal owners we have to be respectful and mindful that our animals don't impede on other people's lives and cause distress.

Goodbye, honestly it doesn't bother me. I'm not freaked out by poo, I'm not a 10 year old girl.