To be pi***d off with the bully squirels

[BettyBi0]

There are a couple of really thuggish squirels running riot in my back garden freaking my cat out. They are bombing up and down the fences and it looks like they are actually taunting him then running away. Do squirrels really do this or am I being paranoid?

We have a problem magpie too who has actually swooped down onto my cat before and pecked at him.

Is my cat just a wimp or does this happen to other people's pets?

You're not paranoid Betty, the local squirrels used to delight in launching acorns and crabapples at our late dog whilst she barked at them from the bottom of the tree. Her bark was pretty annoying mind so I don't blame them really.

No, YANBU tree rats, vermin.

If you catch them you need to dispose of them rather than let them go because they are a pest species.

Outwitting Squirrels ?

I'm tempted to get out there with a water pistol and aim it near them to scare them off. They are so cocky!

Magpies and squirrels do indeed bully other animals - next doors cat regularly has to be rescued from cowering under my car when the squirrels and magpies are taunting her.
I'm not saying she's blameless in hunting mice and frogs but they seem to go out of their way to taunt her, and if she comes anywhere near attack her.
The magpies also taunt the pheasants, wood pigeons and rooks dive bombing them when they are on the lawn.

My cat was bullied by a magpie this summer. All he wanted to do was to snooze on his cushion in the sunshine but it terrorised him until he went in. He's never killed anything and thinks everyone is his friend. It was tragic to see his confused little face.

I ended up squirting a water pistol at it and having to sit in the garden with him like a bodyguard.