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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

167 replies

itsmellslikepopcarn · 28/05/2021 17:35

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
itsmellslikepopcarn · 28/05/2021 19:00

Because metal spikes are fucking deranged? I dunno if maybe I'm just too much of an animal lover.

I've got no idea if the fence is mine or not. The deeds to my house are at a family members who was helping me with a solicitor so I'll be going down tomorrow to find out who's fence it is and removing them if it's mine.

OP posts:
Mumofthree86 · 28/05/2021 19:04

Cat shit is beyond annoying, moved into a new house with what seemed a lovely garden. Previous tenants obviously let their dog poo in it without cleaning it for months before leaving. Cleaned it all up only to find a new cat poo arrives pretty much daily. Pretty gutting with children. One of the reason we don’t have pets is we don’t want to deal with dog muck but now cleaning poo is a daily chore. Am going down the route of trying deterrents (coffee, lavender etc.) in a hope they work. Maybe the neighbour is at wits end as nothing else works, ask?

donquixotedelamancha · 28/05/2021 19:04

I'll be going down tomorrow to find out who's fence it is and removing them if it's mine.

Alternatively you could just have a chat with them and discuss your concern in a reasonable way.

PheasantPlucker1 · 28/05/2021 19:05

Maybe your neighbours love animals even more than you do and are sick of seeing dead mice and birds in their garden?

Slippy78 · 28/05/2021 19:12

The deeds won't tell you who the fence belongs to.

EverNapping · 28/05/2021 19:19

Does the neighbour have or might be looking to get a dog? Metal spikes would be a lot less harmful than being killed by a dog.

Original poster
itsmellslikepopcarn · 28/05/2021 19:20

Nope, sorry. If you can think I'm extreme or annoying or whatever, I've just gone to check again and they are 100% metal and extremely sharp. I'm not going round for a polite word to someone who thinks it's okay to possibly injure cats with that, whether it's my own or someone else's cat. He's breaking the law anyway having metal spikes on a fence that are met with a public footpath behind, he needs to at least have a warning sign for the fence not to be climbed.

OP posts:
Castlepeak · 28/05/2021 19:20

I have 3 cats and I am 100% certain that none of them has befouled a neighbors garden because I recognize concepts like “right to roam” are absolutely ridiculous. My cats are my responsibility and are under my control at all times. It is possible.

Indoor cats
Leash training
Catios
Cat proof fencing

Each comes with pros and cons. Each takes more effort and money than simply opening the door and letting your cat poop in the neighbors vegetable garden, but the methods are available and completely feasible.

Custardo · 28/05/2021 19:22

you need to have something better to think about imo - not meant to be a slight ....but really...unless something greater is at play - cats...fence... ??

snowcobra · 28/05/2021 19:26

Disgusting people.
Yes, check whose fence this is and if it's yours take down the spikes.

Omemiserum · 28/05/2021 19:32

Usually ,but not always , your fence is the one on the left as you face your house.
If they are plastic spikes they won't do much harm, just a deterrent.
Cats shit in my garden and its unhealthy and dangerous for kids. You have no idea if the cats have been wormed properly.

Original poster
itsmellslikepopcarn · 28/05/2021 19:34

@Custardo

you need to have something better to think about imo - not meant to be a slight ....but really...unless something greater is at play - cats...fence... ??
Wow, that's rude.

Not that I need to explain myself but FYI, I'm a single parent, a business owner and yes, animal welfare is still a concern of mine.

OP posts:
Wineat5isfine · 28/05/2021 19:36

“The right to roam” is absolutely ridiculous. I’m sick of cats pooping in my garden. I have to check constantly before letting my children out to play.

They dig up our vegetable bed, the flower beds...ruining everything. Not so brave when I let
My dog out, but my neighbour has complained to me about this as my dog is fast and gives them quite a fright. Have suggested they find a way to keep their cats out of my garden to be met with “they go wherever they want”. 😡

I don’t agree with metal spikes as they could cause injury, but perhaps your neighbours are just as fed up as me...

Omemiserum · 28/05/2021 19:37

PS, deeds may well tell you who owns fence the boundary's have a little T on them to indicate ownership.

JellyTumble · 28/05/2021 19:38

I don't really understand how people can "take responsibility" for their cats?

Cat owners should catproof their garden so their cats can’t leave. If they can’t or won’t do that the cats should be kept inside.

If I was your neighbour I would be giving every single cat shit I found back to you - your animal so you can deal with its shit.

You can’t possibly have a problem with that because surely nobody would be as unreasonable as to think they shouldn’t have to deal with their animals shit but their neighbours should.

MagicSummer · 28/05/2021 19:38

Good for them - nobody wants other people's cats in their garden. Nasty creatures - I don't like them.

JellyTumble · 28/05/2021 19:39

Oh and yeah, the fence isn’t shared just because it’s between the two houses.

ViciousJackdaw · 28/05/2021 19:39

metal spikes on a fence that are met with a public footpath behind

Sounds more like a burglar deterrent to me.

StoneofDestiny · 28/05/2021 19:40

Checked

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

CheeseCakeSunflowers · 28/05/2021 19:40

Details of the legalities here www.inbrief.co.uk/animal-law/cats-fouling/ It looks like the spikes are illegal

EmeraldShamrock · 28/05/2021 19:43

They could be dangerous to cats however the cats are obviously a big problem if NDN is prepared to spend money securing the garden from roaming cats.
Cat poop stinks I hate it. I'm not sure how my neighbour to the back managed to stop her cats coming in my garden, she did somehow they no longer come in.

snowcobra · 28/05/2021 19:43

@MagicSummer

Good for them - nobody wants other people's cats in their garden. Nasty creatures - I don't like them.
Your opinion on cats is irrelevant - any decent person will object to people breaking the law & putting animals at risk of injury.
Sleepybunny21 · 28/05/2021 19:43

Putting up spikes that could injure a cat is just evil. I can't believe the people on this thread defending it!

I dislike dogs, and the constant dog noise where I live drives me mad sometimes, but I would never harm a dog!

veeeeh · 28/05/2021 19:47

Seems to me that pet animals are very highly regarded by many, often to the detriment of the quality of life of some humans! Dog attacks and incessant barking, cats shitting everywhere and imperiously deciding to do what they want wherever they want are just two examples.

My DP is from a rural farming background and reckons domestic pets are a mad idea in urban settings. According to him dogs are for guarding and rounding up sheep, and cats are for catching mice and rats, that's the natural way he says. I agree with him, and sorry in advance to those who will be mortally offended by this.

I would put up spikes myself if any shitty roaming cat came into my garden. Full stop, and I like birds to sing and nest in my bushes and trees and not be beheaded or murdered!

LittleMissPeggySue · 28/05/2021 20:02

My neighbours put them up on the fence between our gardens a few weeks ago, it's their fence so I had no say in it. Annoying yes but as far as I can see it's only an issue if a cat injures itself. I'm hoping to move in a few months so I'm not making a fuss.

I've got two cats, one of them isn't athletic enough to jump up and walk on the fence, it's too high for him. The other one can though and the other day I spotted her sitting on one of their fence posts where there are no spikes. Made me laugh because it was as if she was taunting them. Cat 1, neighbours 0 😂😂