AIBU to be annoyed with neighbours for metal spikes on shared fence?

[itsmellslikepopcarn]

I live in an area which what seems like quite a high cat population, there's usually about 7-8 I see roaming round on a daily basis. I'm not sure if this is why NDN has put metal spikes on their fence, but they have put two lots of very sharp, metal spikes on their garden fence corner (including part of our shared fence) which seems like it is to deter cats going into their garden.

I get it's very annoying having animals coming into your garden to do their business but these spikes are ridiculous, if a cat jumps on them they're going to end up with an injury. There has also been absolutely no discussion as to whether I'm happy with them going on our shared fence, and it isn't the first time they've made changes to the fence before without consulting me.

I've looked up about fence spikes and from what I can see the spikes need to be plastic and blunt as to not cause injuries. AIBU to think this is harsh?

Take them down. You don't want to be responsible for injured animals.

Who actually owns the fence? Who paid for it? If it belongs to them it may be hard to tell them to take the spikes down.

It's very harsh but I can understand their frustration. My own cats use my flower bed as a litter tray and it drives me mad but I love them and I'm glad they're not going elsewhere (I hope ).

Sadly I don't think there's anything you can do about it. If someone injured themselves on it they could sue but I doubt it applies to animals.

Tell them it’s animal cruelty and you will both be held liable for vet fees so you insist they remove them and accept the full cost for doing so.

Yeah I would rip those down. If they want to hurt cats they can do so without involving you/part of your property. Or you know, don't fucking hurt cats.

Fucking cunts.

@oneglassandpuzzled

Who actually owns the fence? Who paid for it? If it belongs to them it may be hard to tell them to take the spikes down.

Ive got no idea honestly, I've lived here for 6 years and it's never been changed so I just assumed it's shared ownership? It's just politeness to consult with neighbours over changes to a shared fence isn't it? I wouldn't paint it without asking them first if it was okay.

Are you sure it’s a shared fence? Usually a fence belongs to one neighbour, not both, and if your neighbours have done several things to the fence, they must think it’s theirs.

I'd be concerned about insurance issues if a cat is injured.

Who actually owns the fence? It might be between you but one of you actually owns it. The spikes are a deterrent against birds and cats . We have them round here and they work wonders against cats coming into your garden.

Fences aren't usually shared ownership.

Ah okay, I didn't realise that usually one neighbour actually owns the fence. Ill have to check in the house paperwork. I still think it's rank though.

I've got some plastic ones on my side of the fence, not the top, to stop cats coming into the garden and pooing. I have tried sonic sprays, bark and other scent deterrents and I found the only things that work are physically stopping cats climbing over the fence.

www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/animal-deterrents/cats-and-garden-birds/cat-deterrents/ lots of ideas here although none worked for me

Ring the RSPCA and put a complaint in.

It doesn't matter who owns it, it's illegal. If your council has an animal warden contact them - they will tell them they have to remove them.

Not only animals,you can get hurt as well. If it's your fence,take them off,no one has any right to do anything with your property,they can't even paint,hang things from absolutely nothing without your permission.

Do you have cats?

How strong are these spikes.
I think you can be sued for injury to burglars who climb your fence.

I think in Scotland they are more likely to be shared fences.

In England I think it’s rare.

Not sure about Wales and NI.

Are you positive the spikes are metal? All the cat deterrent spikes I've seen are plastic. I'm also wondering if metal spikes would actually be legal. It could injure anyone tryng to climb the fence.

I can understand them wanting to keep cats out of their garden, tbh. I'm sick of finding cat shit when I'm weeding, and the occasional dead sparrow, courtesy of neighbourhood cats. If I had a fence, I'd be minded to use the plastic spikes myself, but the side the offending cat comes from has a hedge. I'd discuss it with the neighbours first though.

Is it your cat shitting on their garden and hunting wildlife?

Might be anti bird spikes. Those are metal and vicious looking...

It doesn't matter who owns it, it's illegal.

Is it? Could you elaborate? Even those big pigeon spikes are only illegal if they harm an animal and it can be shown to be deliberate.

I'm pretty sure they are metal, I went outside and put a finger on one, if a human tried to climb over their fence it would puncture skin.

I do have a cat yes, but he's inside most of the time. I see several neighbours cats in my garden throughout the week and I'd much rather clean up their shit than be responsible for their injuries.

Yeah, I get annoyed about a lot of things but cat poop in the garden really isn't one of them. Someone's cat shitting in your garden doesn't give you the right to impale them.

You may share the responsibility of maintaining the boundary, but that doesnt make it a shared fence.
Responsibility to maintain a boundary just means you need to keep a clear, defined boundary but you dont need to have any kind of fence/hedge/wall.
The neighbour may have paid for and erected the fence(either along the boundary or slightly inside the boundary on his own property), so they own it and can do what they like to it. You cant do anything to it, or remove anything from it.
If the previous owners of your house paid for the fence, then you own it and can remove the spikes.