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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To remove these cat spikes on a fence?

194 replies

Alexandra80 · 28/01/2020 08:16

Woken up this morning by my DC screaming saying our young cat is bleeding everywhere. Both his paws are very bloody and we've washed him and dried him (he's suuuuper fluffy so it's hard to see the damage and his fur was matted with blood).

He obviously tried to jump onto our porch roof from a non spiked fence which he does a lot as he likes it up there, miscalculated and landed heavily on the spiked fence which is right by our porch door. The spikes are plastic but very pointed. Originally there was a path that led down that side of our house but the lady who lived in our house before put a fence up and the lady with the garden next to us moved her garden (I. E. Grass, gravel...) to reach the fence.

So technically it's no one's legal property and it was an agreement between that neighbour and the previous tenant. She's only put those cat spikes on this one fence as the other two are official shared boundaries. I get some people hate cats, fine, but buy anoyher kind of detterant. Now I've got to take my cat to the vets and he's in a lot of pain. (I'd talk to my neighbour first but she's proven to be awkard before which is long winded and boring but jist for context as to why I can't just ask her). Would we be unreasonable to remove the spikes later, as it'll likely happen again and it's not legally anyone's? Thinking of calling rspca for advice once we're back from the vets. I always thought the spikes weren't meant to hurt/impale cats, just deter them.

OP posts:
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Gonetoget · 28/01/2020 13:58

@adaline. You have clearly stated
"all the cats around here are neutered but they still roam! "

You cant possibly know this unless you are copping a good look at their genitals, which seems unlikely if they are darting in front of your car, which again you are stating is happening on a weekly basis.
I have been driving a long time and I haven't experienced this as a weekly occurrence. Confused and there are plenty of cats near me.
I don't particularly want to get caught up in the semantics of what has been said and I am sure some neutered cats roam, but my point was that generally speaking un neutered cats are a sign of irresponsible pet ownership - un neutered (neglected) cats will roam onto busy roads, or wherever their fancy takes them, they are the cats you are braking for.

Powerplant · 28/01/2020 14:20

So any suggestions on humane ways to deter cats coming into my garden? My neighbour has recently acquired a young cat and it continuously shits in my garden, at times right outside my back door. My OH is threatening to put a deterrent across our fence which I do not agree with however I am really not happy at having to buy poo bags to clear it up! I have spoken to the neighbour who said he would try to keep it in more - unfortunately this is not happening

Rubyupbeat · 28/01/2020 14:22

A lot of people use them to deter thieves, but I agree they are dangerous for cats.

User56781234 · 28/01/2020 14:32

OP, your poor, poor cat and your poor children. I'm so sorry that you're all going through this and for your shock and distress.

Given that your neighbour is awkward and may be responsible for your cat's injuries, I agree that not talking to her directly is the sensible thing to do. Especially at the moment, given what you're already dealing with.

I echo PPs advice on finding your Title Deeds and establishing the boundaries of your property. Could you also speak to the solicitor who managed your house purchase for advice on this as boundary disputes especially over unadopted then adopted land can get very nasty, drawn out and expensive. Especially if your neighbour is awkward.

I hope that your cat is fully recovered very soon. Once again, I'm so sorry that you're all going through this.

FizzyIce · 28/01/2020 14:34

@Powerplant google it, plenty of ideas on the net.
Something sticky will probably help or a water spray bottle if you can catch it

WeHaveSnowdrops · 28/01/2020 14:57

@Powerplant

Cat proof fencing is very effective but quite expensive. Some neighbours use anti climb paint and a lot have cat spikes but probably blunter than the ones mentioned here.

Hidingtonothing · 28/01/2020 15:36

I wouldn't think twice about taking them down, doubt anyone will object but you can cross that bridge if you come to it. Hope your poor cat recovers quickly, makes me glad mine are happy to be house cats Sad

lyingwanker · 28/01/2020 15:37

It pisses me off to the max when I'm having to pick up cat shit from my garden so that my children can play out. However, I would never in a million years do something that would hurt a cat. I squirt water at them or even throw a pebble a few feet away to scare them away.

FrogInAHat23 · 28/01/2020 15:50

OMFG remove them. Definitely get the cat to the vet ASAP. And yes, take pictures of the spikes with blood on them so you can take action if you need to! I wouldn't rule out suing the owner, if there is one!! Disgusting. Completely agree with @Inforthelonghaul - I would become the neighbour from hell if someone hurt my cat!

RedToothBrush · 28/01/2020 16:42

Mine are outdoor cats and always have been, (in 20 years of having cats,) and they have certainly never behaved like you describe.

I'm glad you monitor your cat 24/7 on catcam to ensure this.

That said, interestingly enough, in Norway you will not be allowed to adopt a cat unless the cat will be let outside. If you don't have the potential for the cat to get outside (and a balcony doesn't count apparently) they won't let you adopt.

And in Canada there are laws that you can't let a cat outside too, because of the harm they do to wildlife etc.

Personally due to the sheer numbers of domestic cats and irresponsible owners I'm in the cats indoors only camp.

I don't like cats just 'exploring' my home (both inside and out) and I don't think they are great for native wildlife.

Damntheman · 28/01/2020 17:56

I find it intriguing the wildly different experts opinions on indoor/outdoor between countries! Maybe Norwegian wildlife is more hardy than Canadian? Who knows!

Clymene · 28/01/2020 18:39

You can get electronic cat scarers which work well. Or a dog which works better. Grin

Also they don't like the smell of citrus so lemon chunks in areas you don't want them pooing and/or short canes stuck in the soil.

thecatneuterer · 28/01/2020 18:45

Do you have a local Council Animal Warden? They will visit to tell people to remove such spikes if asked. Our charity has been involved with getting these removed many times, with the help of the Animal Warden.

In your position I would absolutely remove them myself.

Sceptre86 · 28/01/2020 18:45

We have a neighbours cat who poops in our garden and I am so sick of having to clean it. If I wanted a cat I would get my own. However I would never put up anything like you have described, there are so many other cat deterrents that can be used. Hope your cat's visit to the vet goes well and definitely take them down.

WeHaveSnowdrops · 28/01/2020 18:56

Our charity has been involved with getting these removed many times, with the help of the Animal Warden.

How is that ok if spikes are legal?

DogInATent · 28/01/2020 19:26

OMFG remove them. Definitely get the cat to the vet ASAP. And yes, take pictures of the spikes with blood on them so you can take action if you need to! I wouldn't rule out suing the owner, if there is one!!

It's her own fence.

Nanny0gg · 28/01/2020 19:31

All types of cat spikes are legal as long as they don't harm the cat. Specially designed, humane, plastic, blunt cat spikes are the safest. Although the law does not say that adding metal pigeon spikes or barbed wire to a fence is illegal, these type of cat spikes may become illegal if a pet cat is injured as a result.

Apparently

YicketyYackMamasBack · 28/01/2020 19:34

Are cat spikes not illegal? How can they justify letting people put something up that the intention is to cause harm to someone’s pet?

You would our bear traps on your front lawn where dogs might walk past.

I’d be absolutely livid

MrMeSeeks · 28/01/2020 20:27
  • have been driving a long time and I haven't experienced this as a weekly occurrence. confused and there are plenty of cats near me. I don't particularly want to get caught up in the semantics of what has been said and I am sure some neutered cats roam, but my point was that generally speaking un neutered cats are a sign of irresponsible pet ownership - un neutered (neglected) cats will roam onto busy roads, or wherever their fancy takes them, they are the cats you are braking for.

All our old cats (neutered) were strays and they still roamed. They used to visit old neighbours and others cats.
Some of the cats on my roam road frequently run across the main road and they are certainly not neglected un neutered cats ( just dumb).Grin

MrMeSeeks · 28/01/2020 20:28

On my road*

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 28/01/2020 20:44

I don't like the spikes because the might hurt foxes and other animals.

Cats, however, can easily be stay safe and sound by if the owners just kept the killing buggers indoors.

mansviewpoint · 28/01/2020 20:59

Take a photo of the path, the fence and measure your land. If it's your own property and NOT on a property / boundary line, then it's yours to do with what you want. If it's on the boundary line, then find out what the part wall is.. usually it is something like all left hand or all Right hand fences are owned by the property. This is in the Land registry and in your deeds. if you don't own the property then speak to your landlord about it.

thecatneuterer · 28/01/2020 21:01

How is that ok if spikes are legal? They're not legal. There are some that don't actually harm cats or other animals/people and they are legal. The dangerous types aren't.

Alexandra80 · 29/01/2020 14:35

OK, so we worked out it definitely was ours and took it down but did tell the lady who lives there and show her so she knew we weren't over exaggerating. She accepted the reasoning and its down now thankfully on that portion so it shouldn't happen again. Our cat is doing OK but a bit relux3to walk on that paw so I'll see how he is in a few days like the vet said. Thanks for all the replies.

To remove these cat spikes on a fence?
OP posts:
Alexandra80 · 29/01/2020 14:36

*reluctant. I don't know how that autocorrected so badly 😂

OP posts: