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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:
Original poster
Mammaaof · 29/07/2020 20:26

@Judystilldreamsofhorses that's so responsible of you! I let the nice cats lounge on my furniture they don't bother me and this cat wouldn't bother me if it wasn't aggressive x

OP posts:
Summergarden · 29/07/2020 20:34

So sorry to hear this. Hope your daughter is ok.

You definitely need to deter that horrible cat before you get your little dog. Cats can cause serious harm to dogs- usually they scratch their eyes.

I’d buy a strong super soaker gun and spray it every time it enters your garden. Also bang pans together to scare it off.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 30/07/2020 08:41

Nah, Cat is being a dick. Over the wall it goes. Needs to learn to stay out of the garden if it can't be nice.
When other cats come in and attack mine they get chased out.

The cat’s being a dick? What does that make you then?

If you were my neighbour and did that I hope you’d never expect any goodwill from me. Kids ball comes over my fence, they won’t be getting that back. Parcel, I won’t be taking that in.

Beamur · 30/07/2020 09:36

If my cat was biting a person, I'd give exactly the same advice as I have already, vigorously discourage it - spray it with water and shoo it away. And I would apologise.
My PIL had a cat when DH was growing up which was wonderful with people but an absolute terror to other cats. It actually killed several other cats - they were heartbroken but took the decision to have it put down rather than have it causing such damage to others.

seashoreseashore · 30/07/2020 09:42

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User87471643901065319 · 30/07/2020 09:49

Buy a (or a couple) of battery-operated pest repellents and set the frequency for cats. I did this just to stop cats coming into mine and pooing.

I don't see what you could achieve by telling the neighbour. Cats roam. What would your expect the neighbour to do? I think it could just make relations worse.

Itwasntme1 · 30/07/2020 09:56

Be careful in the noise emitters - children can usually hear them and it can be painful. My little niece used to scream and hold her ears in her granny’s garden - my dad realised it was their cat repellent.

I always think there could be parents out their who don’t understand why their kids hate the garden, who don’t know their neighbours have these.

CandidaAlbicans2 · 30/07/2020 10:01

I don't quite see how they'd be able to keep it out of your garden though

@JRUIN, I mentioned upthread, “Cats naturally want to roam, that's true, but it is possible for cat owners to keep their pets within their gardens if they choose to do so. By changing their fencing so that their cat doesn't escape not only keeps the cat safe (from being run over, or attacked by dogs) but also prevents strained neighbourly relationships" (like shitting in other’s gardens, digging up seed beds, killing wildlife, etc).

Unfortunately it's perfectly legal in this country for people to own a pet cat that they can then take zero responsibility for yet it's seen as absolutely fine. On top of that, if anyone complains about someone else's pet cat they're either told to basically suck it up, or are advised to spend their own money and time on all sorts of methods of deterring the cat, eg buying expensive electronic gismos, lion poo, plants, and water pistols. I still cannot get my head around why this is seen as acceptable, or why so few cat owners get proper fencing to avoid their pets roaming out of their gardens. Oh yes, it would mean spending money and taking responsibility rather than being selfish twats. Have cats, sure, they're lovely, but FFS! Angry

dancinfeet · 30/07/2020 10:27

A dog that bit a child would be put down. I quite like cats but one that came into my garden and bit a small child is out of order and I would be having firm words with the neighbour. If they will not keep their animal away from your child then it is up to you to take every precaution to do so, even if it means squirting the cat with something nastier than water like lemon juice or chilli. Yes it might harm the cat, but as long as you give the neighbour fair warning to keep their vicious animal away then its tough- you have every right to defend your child in any way you see fit. I don't advocate doing this for all cats passing through your garden, (I have two very friendly neighbour cats that regularly hang out in my own garden with no issues) but you have a right for your child to be safe in your own home and garden.

User56781234 · 30/07/2020 10:30

If you see it again and it tries to attack give it a whack! A squirt of water isn't going to do anything.

I would strongly advise ignoring this despicable response especially in this instance with the OP's neighbours.

I have never hit anyone in my life but if a supposed adult assaulted my cat who has already been hit, kicked and thrown enough, I would not be responsible for my actions.

Bubbletrouble43 · 30/07/2020 10:45

If you are getting a puppy do not sprinkle coffee around your garden!

Oldestchild90s · 30/07/2020 10:58

Yeah, give the cat a whack.. that will help calm things down 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

Original poster
Mammaaof · 30/07/2020 11:21

Grin sorry some of the comments today have brightened my day! So I've calmed down from yesterday, I haven't said anything to said neighbour nor am I planning to as even if they could do anything, I highly doubt they would!! I'm praying that when the pup comes that will be enough to keep the said cat away!! Thank you for the advice I really appreciate i would do anything to keep my children safe! My little girl is only 2 (3 next month) and I wouldn't have gone back inside if I'd known the cat was there as I usually get him out of the garden as I know how he can be and as children do she thinks every animal including pigeons are cute and fluffy Grin I've been on patrol today of the very small garden and I haven't seen the cat yet today, it's a beautiful day here today so in hoping it doesn't come back, ive had to tilt my garden chairs to try and stop him sitting on them, and just to put minds at rest I definitely won't be shooting water at any other cats just this cat 🐈 x

OP posts:
Boireannachlaidir · 30/07/2020 11:43

Maybe teach your kid how to behave around animals and not to stroke cats as they don't always like being stroked. Better safe than sorry.

Original poster
Mammaaof · 30/07/2020 12:15

@Boireannachlaidir yes your right I'll chain her up in the house and tell her she is not allowed to play in the garden!! I mean she is only 2 but ok! Wink

OP posts:
midnightstar66 · 30/07/2020 12:33

I wouldn't count on an aggressive cat caring about a small puppy. In fact I'd be very careful as it could cause a lot of damage if it scratched its eye for example. You're definitely going to need eyes in a the back of your head though as puppies bite A LOT. We all looked like we'd been wrestling tigers at the 12 week stage and they seem to go for the younger ones more. Good luck refereeing it all 😬

Original poster
Mammaaof · 30/07/2020 12:38

My dad has offered to pick the cat up and drive it far far away 🤔

OP posts:
Sooverthemill · 30/07/2020 12:39

Cats do roam and while most are friendly some are not. I echo@Judystilldreamsofhorses advice to make the cat feel unwelcome by making loud noises when it comes I tot he garden ( when you see it). Banging saucepans etc. That's how I trained my cats not to go near our front door. Also use a spray bottle filled with water. It doesn't thing and they don't like it ( usually). After a while the cat will hopefully learn your garden isn't a good place to go

vikingwife · 30/07/2020 12:44

@Mammaaof as someone who has PTSD from losing their dog & never finding them again, I really hope you’re joking with that comment about driving the cat away & dumping it somewhere. That’s so triggering.

I have known biting cats - spray it with the hose & in august your new dog will arrive, which as it grows will likely stop the cat wanting to be in your garden. There are sprays you can buy which discourage cats too.

Boireannachlaidir · 30/07/2020 12:45

Don't be ridiculous no one is suggesting your chain your fictional child up. Learning how to behave around animals can be taught from 2yo. However based on your update I can see you're here on a wind-up. Really original. Not. Hmm

LunchBoxPolice · 30/07/2020 12:46

My dad has offered to pick the cat up and drive it far far away
My ex did that but the bloody thing came back. As did the cat.

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/07/2020 12:54

@Mammaaof

My dad has offered to pick the cat up and drive it far far away 🤔
The apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree in your family has it?.
Original poster
Mammaaof · 30/07/2020 12:54

@Boireannachlaidir I am definitely not here on a wind up, and yes my dad was joking about driving the cat away although the neighbours wouldn't notice that the cat was gone! If you search my previous posts you will see me asking for a name for our new pup a couple weeks ago.

OP posts:
FlorenceFlounce · 30/07/2020 12:58

I think I would end up telling the neighbour just so that she knew why I was going to wildly chase the cat away whenever I saw it.

Obviously there is nothing she can do except turning it into a house cat, but she might get annoyed if she sees you squirting it and doesn’t know that you’re doing it to protect your child x

vikingwife · 30/07/2020 13:01

@Mammaaof the animal would likely still die. You sound like a real treat.