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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

163 replies

cleanasawhistle2195 · 31/07/2015 19:47

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?!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
londonrach · 01/08/2015 13:02

Ttwf Xmas Wink

EmeraldKitten · 01/08/2015 21:40

No offence meant but I really dislike the look of the cat proof fencing. I think I'd feel like I was in a prison exercise yard.

ShelaghTurner · 01/08/2015 22:10

Two things as an interested non cat owner....
If cats aren't trainable how do you get them to use a litter tray? And that cat proof fencing is all well and good but won't they just jump off that roof?

Coconuticetea · 01/08/2015 22:30

So you went out with a water pistol to attack your neighbours cat Hmm

And you are locking your own cat in the house Hmm

hiddenhome · 01/08/2015 22:40

Never had a cat jump into the garden. They would need to jump down onto the fence first as it's too high.

I don't mind what it looks like. You don't notice it after a while. My cat went missing for nearly a week after being chased by a nearby tom. They don't wander now and are safe which is all that matters.

TTWK · 01/08/2015 22:44

If cats aren't trainable how do you get them to use a litter tray?

You don't. They like to bury their poo so the litter tray allows them to do it. They choose to use it. When I put food down the cat eats it, but I never trained it to eat!

ShelaghTurner · 01/08/2015 23:16

Ah. Fair enough! Thanks both Smile

I'm revising in case DH ever decides to admit that he lied about the cat allergy thing... Hmm

ghostspirit · 01/08/2015 23:39

op has not been back since her/his first post :/ anyway i agree with others cats get into fights thats just how it is

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 01/08/2015 23:43

RE the catproof fencing, can't the outside cat just jump from the top of the fence in?

6cats3gingerkittens · 01/08/2015 23:58

Brilliant, Pourquoi!

ahbollocks · 02/08/2015 00:00

tanithe that made my eyes well up!

My oddball kitty will take on any dog or man who dares enter his section of pavement but leaves next doors 18 year old bedraggled thing alone.

(I love bedraggled cat very much too)

Yabu op though, sorry

hiddenhome · 02/08/2015 10:39

No the mesh and brackets puts them off as it extends too far over the fence. They can't jump over it.

QforCucumber · 02/08/2015 10:41

Itsallgoing I think the angle prevents it, not sure but it certainly has stopped the big angry tom getting into ours, he used to sit at the back door tormenting our 2 doesn't come in now.
Re. How it looks, personally - I'd rather see that than a £1200 vets bill or my cat squished in the road by a car.

cjdamoo · 02/08/2015 11:07

I disagree cats are not trainable One of my fosters hi fives for treats, walks on a harness and plays fetch.

If you live on a busy road I would say your neighbours vicious cat is the least of your worries.

MrsJorahMormont · 02/08/2015 12:36

It is infuriating OP but not a lot you can do. We had a feral tom around for a while and he bit our poor cat to pieces - cost about 80 quid for the vet's bill. He also caused major damage in two neighbours' homes when they left a window open. People hated it and were prepared to kill it. It vanished eventually and I always wondered if someone had harmed it.

FuzzyWizard · 02/08/2015 13:21

My NDN has the most adorable sweet natured little cat... We call her fence cat because she sits up on the top of the fence for at least 5-6 hours a day. She lives quite harmoniously with NDN's three other cats. The squirrels play around getting as close to her on the fence as they dare wiggling their fluffy tails at her. She just sits there bless her. On a couple of occasions though a strange cat has wandered into the alleyway and she turns into a demon. She hisses and spits and claws like fury. It's just what cats do.

ovaryhill · 02/08/2015 14:30

Kill it... then turn it into a Davy Crockett hat, parade up and down in front of neighbours house wearing it at a jaunty angle whilst laughing maniacally.

GatoradeMeBitch · 02/08/2015 16:40

If you don't want this kind of thing to happen, you'll have to keep him in I'm afraid.

My cat got swiped on his side in a fight yesterday. One other cat would run up to my room after a scrap and just bleed on my expensive duvet (had to bin it in the end.) You can try things like tipping his litter tray contents round the borders of your garden so it has his scent, etc, but if the new cat wants to fight, it will try to.

UKLaw · 22/09/2020 06:42

@Salmotrutta

Go on OP.

Report their cat to the Police.

I dare you.

UK law protects cats from aggressive cats in that a cat is deemed to be the property of it's owner, therefore if an aggressive keeps injuring your cat, your property is being damaged, the owner of the aggressive cat is held responsible. You report the issue to your local council. The owner will be issued with an ASBO as they are negligent.
violetbunny · 22/09/2020 06:48

I have 2 cats and for a while there was a vicious cat that lived next door who attacked ours several times, causing injury. I never asked them to keep their cat in. It's my responsibility to keep my cats safe. I still let them out because ultimately they're happier outside, but I accept the risk is that they'll get into fights.

ghostyslovesheets · 22/09/2020 06:50

After FIVE years Hmm

GoldfishParade · 22/09/2020 07:01

Why dobt you befriend it? I have a NDN cat and my own cat who is very passive. The NDN cat is adorable but also quite...assertive. he will sometimes try to "play" with mine in an overly assertive way. He isnt actually aggressive though. But now he's become our friend and will come most days for Dreamies and to doze or play with mine. It's cute!

ghostyslovesheets · 22/09/2020 07:06

This thread is from 2015 I’m sure the OP has sorted it

GoldfishParade · 22/09/2020 07:14

FFS

Thefaceofboe · 22/09/2020 07:17

You have every right to be upset but YABU to consider reporting the cat. Considering this has only happened once, its not really something I would of mentioned to the owners. Cats fight all the time. One of my had a bad bite wound last year and I’m sure it was his sister!

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