To expect my neighbour to take responsibility for his cat attacking mine?!!

[cleanasawhistle2195]

Back story: we live by a busy main road- cross the main road, and a family have just moved in about 5 weeks ago with their cat.

About two weeks ago- I had to chase their cat from our garden, it was just sat by the rockery. I knew it was theirs as I walk past their house and have seen it sat in the window. Not a problem- cats roam, I get that.

But now it's much more serious- the cat has attacked mine, leaving him with injuries which I've had to spend £60 (that I don't really have) to get sorted at the vets this morning. Not to mention whatever it will cost me when we have to go back in 10 days.

Went to knock today to have a word, and they have openly admitted their cat can be vicious- but aren't willing to leave it locked in as they have a toddler and the cat needs an escape. I asked them what they were going to do about the £60 it had cost me at the vet this morning, and they refuse to reimburse us. Quite frankly, I'm seething.

The cat has been in the garden again today- I went out with a water pistol but it scarpered before I got near. Went and spoke to our neighbour next door, and she told me she has had to chase the cat out of her garden as well.

Kitty now has to stay in for 10 days and is already driving me bonkers with his yowling to get out, not to mention the puddles and shit I've had to clean up today as he doesn't seem to be able to work out the litter tray is for him (fair enough I guess seeing as he hasn't come across one for 13 years!. Don't see why I should have to keep my cat in long term- we've never had any problems and he loves his independance, so to take that away from him now- well, I don't think it would be very fair.

Quite honestly, I'm thinking about reporting them. AIBU for that- and AIBU to think it's their responsibility?!

Yes, yes, yes.

Our town hall runs Kat Kick Boxing.

And Kat-Ar-Ate.

Very good instructor.

Is this a reverse. Cats arent controllable! Dogs have owners, cats have staff. Apart from keeping his claws well clipped and neutering him if he is male , male cats arevery often fighters. They cant keep a cat in, its unfair. If you have a cat you have to accept the odd fight comes with it. As does thinking your 'naice' potted patio plants are a hi rise litter tray just for them Tho watching them teetering/balancing on the edge of the flowerpot as they wee is quite funny - and my DM stopped using them as hiding place for spare front door key after that. Loud clapping, shouting and water pistol is all you can do.

Suck it up. If you can't afford to be taking your cat to the vet then you shouldn't really have a cat.

Cats are not subject to Dog Legislation.

HTH

Have you considered taking your cat to some self defence classes?

Kung mew?

Couple of questions first, are both male and are both neutered? If not neutered that could be part of the problem? Secondly, does your cat have a litter tray? If so, you might want to "mark" your cat's territory - the edges especially with his litter (used, wet) as this will give off his/her scent to the neighbours cat and this can dissuade them a bit, you don't need much (and it's not as horrid as you might think). Cats normally fight over territory or a female etc. good luck.

So would you think differently if they hadn't 'openly admitted' that their cat is 'vicious'?

And tbh cats having squabbles in the street doesn't make them vicious. They said their cat can be vicious. ALL cats can be vicious when they're fighting!

Pourquoi - you are a genius.

OP - you are unreasonable.

As a fellow cat owner I firmly say YABU. My cat has been in fights and wants to go out to roam...If you are a cat owner you know they really are a law unto themselves you can't train or encourage them...agree with pp your cat probably shits in your neighbours gardens are you happy with this?

I can't believe you knocked to 'have a word' to be honest. What did you want them to do? If you're not willing to keep your cat in and say it's not fair, how can you expect them to?

I'm sorry your cat was hurt. It's awful when your pet is injured. You must feel dreadfully sorry for him. I hope he heals well.

Unfortunately I do think you are being a bit unreasonable. Cats fight. Toms fight all the time over territory. I am 100% certain that your poor puss has had countless fights to date. some he will have won, some he will have lost. It's what cats do.

It isn't nice at all that he's been injured but I think it's probably best if you accept that cats fight and sometimes they get hurt and perhaps as said upthread, try to make your garden escape/entry proof if at all possible.

I'm sure with lots of cuddles and a disgusting number of treats, your cat will be feeling fine in no time.

Kung mew

Fighting is normal cat behaviour. Great if yours is more placid. But niat cats will sort out a hierarchy.

What if your cat caught an escaped canary? Would you take responsibility?

yabu.

but please report and tell us the reply, I could use a laugh.

There was a thread a few days ago where the OPs friend's neighbours asked the friend to "have a word with the cat" because it was tormenting the neighbours dog... By sitting on the fence and wiggling its bum in the dog's direction.

Yabu.

I have two cats, one boy and one girl.

The Tom is lovely around the house, great with the kids but a nasty bugger where other cats are concerned. His face and ears are covered in scars and you can often hear him fighting with other toms.

I wouldn't pay you money if you said my cat attacked yours. With what proof? It's easy to say.

I call reverse.

If you'd come to my door I'd have thought you were nuts a bit odd

Howay man OP.. When you've calmed down have a re read of your thread.

I think the only comfortable option is to cat proof the garden. It isn't cheap but maybe effective.

Not only is it part of having an outdoors cat, it's also part of having an older cat. My old bugger was king of the neighbourhood when he was younger, at the top of the local cat hierarchy and other cats didn't generally come in our garden. Now he's old and slow, all the "new boys" will have a go at him. He's learned (pretty quickly) that life is far nicer indoors, just goes for a little wander every now and then and will come back in if another cat starts acting aggressively.

If you aren't willing to let cats be cats then a cat isn't really the right pet for you. Your cat went up against the new boy and lost the first battle. When he feels better he'll decide for himself whether to go for round 2 (and maybe win next time) or whether to let new boy be boss of the territory and avoid him in future. There is nothing you or the other cat's people can do to influence this unless you choose to put physical cat proof barriers between them.

You could come to some arrangement with the neighbour where your cat gets to go out at night and theirs in the day. Some cats are much more vicious than others - We had a local one that was a pedigree of some kind and was not afraid of anything - it strolled into our garden one day and bit me on my shoulder - we used to have to chase it out with a broom as it wasn't afraid of water. the neighbour rehomed it when they had their first baby. Lovely looking animal, but scary.

YABU.

One of the main risks of letting your cat roam is that it can get into fights with other cats. It is a risk you choose to take.

Your neighbour is not responsible for your vet bill.

Ha ha - yes, please go and report the cat (who to? ) and let us know what they(!) say

YABU and ridiculous ,if you let your cat roam these things happen ,if this is true your neighbours must now think you are incredibly stupid .