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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cat biting my little girl

311 replies

Mammaaof · 29/07/2020 13:01

I went out into our garden this morning and my little girl followed me out (enclosed garden no way she can get out) she started playing in her sand pit so I went back into the kitchen and left the door open, I was back and fore to the garden and back inside just pottering around. When I heard a scream, I ran out and my little girl was holding her hand saying the cat bite her, I asked her where the cat was and it was sitting on our garden chair but it was tucked under the table so I didn't see it when I was in the garden.
Now this car is known to be nasty, always hisses and shows its teeth at any neighbors who shoos it out of their gardens. This cat is constantly coming into our garden and sitting on our furniture.
Now I'm assuming my little girl has gone and tried to stroke the cat so not trying to make out she didn't do anything.
But aibu if I went and told the neighbour what had happened? Just to add we don't get along with these neighbours, neither does anyone in the street
Sorry for long post thank you x

OP posts:
cherrybakewells3 · 29/07/2020 14:49

You'll always have the nutty cat people refusing to take responsibility for their pets. I hope your daughter is ok, poor thing. I wouldn't hesitate in squirting it with a water gun or something similar every time it came into the garden, it sounds awful. I would definitely mention this to the owner, why should this cat be allowed to roam around attacking people unprovoked? If this was a dog people would be demanding it be put down and blaming the owners.

cherrybakewells3 · 29/07/2020 14:57

@thebigredbutton

If it constantly bites and tries to attack people then it should be treated like a dog would be in the same situation and put down.
Totally agree ^
Baaaahhhhh · 29/07/2020 14:58

I have a cat, adore cats, but would have no hesitation in squirting an unwanted and vicious neighbourhood cat. Find a massive super soaker, or better a hose! The alternative is getting yourself a cat, or a dog.

On a slight de-rail, I would never, and have never, sought medical advice for a bite. I (and the children) have been scratched and bitten by our cats (and their mice) dozens of times. You just clean it out and put savlon on, and keep an eye on it. I know they can be nasty, but I wouldn't get AB's every time, completely ott. DD now works in a cattery...... you should see her hands after every shift!!

GrannyBags · 29/07/2020 14:58

I’m surprised at this thread - thought I was a mad cat lady, having had cats all my life, but there is no way I would be letting one of mine cause damage like this. I have times when I have to keep my four inside as the woman up the road has a Bengal which has bitten my male cat a couple of times, leading to costly vet trips. When I spoke to her about it she could not have cared less. I thought she was a one off but reading through this thread it seems to be a sadly common theme. A responsible owner would at least try to do something.

Baaaahhhhh · 29/07/2020 15:00

Plant something lavender. Cats hate the smell Not sure this is true? Garden full of lavender (and cats sleeping in it).

Original poster
Mammaaof · 29/07/2020 15:15

@MrsVeryTired it's a cavapoochon so not sure if that dog will be scared of the cat as it's the size of a rabbit Envy

OP posts:
honeygirlz · 29/07/2020 15:29

Sorry your dd was hurt OP! My mum swears by used coffee beans. She sprinkles them around her garden and the local cats no longer poo in her garden. Might work to keep cats away?

I adore cats but it is scary when they bite.

Original poster
Mammaaof · 29/07/2020 15:29

@Baaaahhhhh if a random cat who isn't looked after bites your child you wouldnt think to ring the GP? I didn't think I was OTT but maybe I am Hmm

OP posts:
WeAllHaveWings · 29/07/2020 15:29

Cats are allowed to roam and exhibit normal behaviour, but if they cause damage to property or injury to people the owner is absolutely responsible to control their cat. Whether that is making it an indoor cat or cat proofing so it stays in their garden.

I would alert the neighbour and ask them to take action to keep the cat under control and if the cat causes any further injuries take it further. An aggressive cat could cause serious scarring to a young child.

Original poster
Mammaaof · 29/07/2020 15:33

@WeAllHaveWings thank you it's good to know I'm not OTT xx

OP posts:
BluebellsGreenbells · 29/07/2020 15:37

We used to have cats wonder through our garden before we go a dog. It didn’t take long for the cats to find another route.

We occasionally see a new kitten in the garden and they soon disappear!

Although none were vicious!!

The smell of dog wee around your garden should be enough to send the cat away. I would go out with the puppy to start with to make sure he’s safe from the cat. It won’t be long before he’s big enough to to bark the cat away.

LunchBoxPolice · 29/07/2020 15:37

Littlemeadow123 - wrong. It is a danger. Re-read the op’s posts.

this cat does attack on its own free will, even if I just go out into the garden to hang clothes it comes towards you hissing and showing its teeth and trust me I don't to anywhere near it

It is absurd that people think the op should write it off as one of those things Hmm cats are free to roam - yes - but they aren’t free to go onto people’s property and attack them fgs. I’d be taking stronger steps than water pistols against the bloody thing if it hurt my child.

thegreylady · 29/07/2020 15:45

Water pistol used whenever you see the cat will deter it. No cat will make an unprovoked attack on anyone.I have owned cats all my life and have never known one attack a person for no reason.
Cats can’t really be trained like dogs. My three cats live indoors. One will allow anyone to pick her up, she loves children. The others are shy but never aggressive. They hide from visitors but will play if someone offers a fishing or chasing game. You cannot monitor a cats behaviour, they go where they want unless they are kept in.

vanillandhoney · 29/07/2020 15:49

On a slight de-rail, I would never, and have never, sought medical advice for a bite. I (and the children) have been scratched and bitten by our cats (and their mice) dozens of times. You just clean it out and put savlon on, and keep an eye on it. I know they can be nasty, but I wouldn't get AB's every time, completely ott. DD now works in a cattery...... you should see her hands after every shift!!

It's different when it's cats you know, though. You know your cats are vaccinated and healthy and aren't carrying any diseases. The same would apply to the ones in the cattery where your DD works. Random cats on the street are a totally different story in that respect.

LunchBoxPolice · 29/07/2020 15:52

No cat will make an unprovoked attack on anyone
So the op is lying then?

ilovesooty · 29/07/2020 15:59

You could put pepper or something citrus scented in the garden. Cats don't like either of those.
Given previous threads I don't suppose it will take too long before suggestions of actively hurting the cat develop. Angry

JoeCalFuckingZaghe · 29/07/2020 16:04

No cat will make an unprovoked attack on anyone
Absolute tosh. My aunts cat will sit on the stairs and claw and bite you for daring to walk past it. It's an evil fucker to anyone but her. She is responsible and keeps it indoors.

My friends partner was hospitalised by their cat! What I find weird is the society we live in cat owners seem to have this nonchalant attitude to their animals injuring people, but if a dog even so much growls at a person the pitchforks come out.

Approach your neighbour, it's really all you can do in the first instance. Definitely buy a powerful water pistol and anything else to throw at but no injure the cat. I would also look at scents to keep them away, and anything you can install on the fence to deter them jumping (not spikes or anything I'm not sure how legal they are).

Original poster
Mammaaof · 29/07/2020 16:09

@thegreylady why would I lie and make up the cat does attack unprovoked! Ive already admitted today I think my daughter went up to stroke it but there have been numerous other occasions where the cat has gone to attack just because I was walking into my garden and also the same has happened to other neighbours.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mammaaof · 29/07/2020 16:09

Thank you for all the helpful tips and for the ones who have believed me and not flamed me xx

OP posts:
vanillandhoney · 29/07/2020 16:12

No cat will make an unprovoked attack on anyone. I have owned cats all my life and have never known one attack a person for no reason.

It depends how you define a reason. My cat will lash out at people (men, mostly) and it looks unprovoked but it's because he was previously in a home where he was hit, kicked and treated very roughly. He doesn't like people walking too close to him (he'll reach out and scratch at your legs), for example.

If he was outside in the garden and say, the postman walked past and got scratched, it would look totally unprovoked - but in reality he's doing it because he's scared and he associates feet with being kicked.

roxfox · 29/07/2020 16:17

@SomewhereInbetween1

The difference between accepting responsibility for your pets between dog owners and cat owners is stark.
Yeah! I don't get it. If a dog bit a child it would be put down wouldn't it? Not a pet owner and never have been. Pretty sure dogs get 'destroyed' for biting kids tho.
Notredamn · 29/07/2020 16:27

@roxfox some of us are responsible though. Like I said, I would offer to have the cat put down.
The cat sounds feral, and hasn't been looked after properly. It is going to keep lashing out and being a nuisance all its life and wouldn't be able to be rehomed because of it, should anything happen to its current owner. It's a sad existence.

roxfox · 29/07/2020 16:33

[quote Notredamn ]@roxfox some of us are responsible though. Like I said, I would offer to have the cat put down.
The cat sounds feral, and hasn't been looked after properly. It is going to keep lashing out and being a nuisance all its life and wouldn't be able to be rehomed because of it, should anything happen to its current owner. It's a sad existence. [/quote]
Yes for absolutely. I was just surprised at how many people are just denying cats can behave like this/saying they can't be controlled nothing can be done.

polkadotpjs · 29/07/2020 16:34

Definitely squirt with water and pebbles. I'd have no issue if my cat was vicious and was doing this in your garden. I'd be mortified

RedRumTheHorse · 29/07/2020 16:34

@Baaaahhhhh

Plant something lavender. Cats hate the smell Not sure this is true? Garden full of lavender (and cats sleeping in it).
It isn't true. I use to have two nice cats visit my garden for an afternoon nap.
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