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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:
RosieGuacamosie · 28/05/2021 22:06

@Throckmorton

Oh read the thread RosieGuacamosie - I'm not saying you SHOULD do this stuff - someone asked for advice and I gave it. I don't even have a bloody cat!
I’ve been following throughout thanks Confused still believe cat owners should take responsibility for their pets.
Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 28/05/2021 22:06

Oops, cross post with @RosieGuacamosie.

Throckmorton · 28/05/2021 22:07

allBeseigedbykillersquirrels - RTFT - I was giving advice to someone who asked for ideas.

Throckmorton · 28/05/2021 22:08

JFF allRosieGuacamosie - I don't disagree, I was GIVING ADVICE TO SOME WHO ASKED

Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 28/05/2021 22:08

@throckmorton - oh look, cross-posting can happen to anyone

Throckmorton · 28/05/2021 22:09

@Mumofthree86

Can any cat owners give any advice as to how to stop cats pooing all over a garden? I don’t think non pet owners should just accept cleaning other people’s pets mess is part of life.
For the hard of reading - this is what I was responding to
RosieGuacamosie · 28/05/2021 22:09

@Throckmorton

JFF allRosieGuacamosie - I don't disagree, I was GIVING ADVICE TO SOME WHO ASKED
If you don’t disagree why on earth are you getting so irate Confused
Throckmorton · 28/05/2021 22:12

Because you had a go at me for giving advice to someone who asked for advice. I didn't say people who have to do the work of keeping cats out of their garden - I gave advice on how they could do that if they had no option

SisterBeaverhausen · 28/05/2021 22:13

For anyone that's curious the Lion Roar capsules (lion manure balls basically) don't smell. You can buy them in most DIY shops.

We had to use them on our front garden flower beds because Cats would use them as a litter tray. They do actually work. But need replacing now and then.

BarbarianMum · 28/05/2021 22:39

That's intetesting but kind of strange @SisterBeaverhausen - putting cat shit in your flower beds to stop cats shitting there. Grin

CharlotteRose90 · 28/05/2021 22:41

The spikes are designed so cats don’t jump on that fence. We have them and pretty much all our neighbours do. One of our neighbours has 5 cats that liked to crap in our gardens. Since we have that they don’t come in the gardens anymore. It’s perfect. Although now I have a dog he would chase the things out my garden anyway .

Campervanna · 28/05/2021 22:43

@PheasantPlucker1

Cat shit in the garden is vile.

I was once on sofa, unable to walk as I was recovering from surgery and 3year old DS wandered in with it on his face and hands Envy (not envy). That was fun to clean up.

Spikes are not illegal as long as they dont join public land, and cat owners wont have a problem if they take responsibility for their pets rather than let them shit on others peoples property.

Can I ask how you think cat owners can stop their cats going into someone else’s garden? I know they are very intelligent creatures, but somehow I don’t think that telling Tootsie to stay away from a certain garden really works!
MaMelon · 28/05/2021 22:48

Can I ask how you think cat owners can stop their cats going into someone else’s garden?

Keep it indoors or secure your garden? Y’know, like owners of other pets do.

BarbarianMum · 28/05/2021 22:49

@Campervanna you cat proof your garden so they cant leave your property. Really simple.

If you are ok with them leaving your property then presumably you are ok with them encountering hazards - dogs, cars, poisonous things. Fence spikes really are the least of it.

PheasantPlucker1 · 28/05/2021 22:51

Campervanna catios, or cat proof your garden.

Its amazes and disgusts how many people buy cats without ever considering how they will look after them, even letting them run on the road and get hit.

I dont even like cats but its horrible. My friend got a kitten a while ago, it fell asleep under neighbours car tyre. They blamed the neighbour and bought another Angry

MaMelon · 28/05/2021 23:01

Agree Pheasant. It’s considered unacceptable to let any other pet run loose on its own day in, day out to face predators or human-related dangers. Cats, for some reason, are fair game. Poor buggars.

guesswhatteapot · 28/05/2021 23:07

I don't understand what yo mean by a shared fence. It's either your fence, so you can do what you want with it, or it's your neighbours fence, in which case they can do what they want with it.

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 28/05/2021 23:08

I detest cats shitting in my garden and i detest their owners just as much.

Its fully understandable people put spikes on fences to keep them out.

ijustgiveup · 28/05/2021 23:10

Your neighbours have to right to keep other people's pets out of their garden.
I completely understand the frustration.
My vegetable garden gets dug up and pooped in all the same by cats

notthemum · 28/05/2021 23:16

@ Pablosarselasticband.
Hi Pabĺo. I guess the rules đeterming whèther cats are pets or vermin have changed.Ìn the UK in the 1990s the government decided to change their status and said that if you hit a cat ýou had to report it.
Just the same as you would if it was a ďog

Toottootcar · 28/05/2021 23:23

I can't leave my guinea pigs in a run in our garden without staying next to it - went inside once and there was a cat staring at the pigs by the time I came out. She might not have been actually going to do anything, but not worth the risk. So my own pets get less enjoyment from my garden than the neighbour's.

WorcesterWombat · 28/05/2021 23:26

They could have used rollers or the mesh that slants upwards ( like in a deer park). Neither of which will hurt a cat but both stop cats entering the garden without harming them. I have rollers around my garden so my cat has free run in my garden only. He also has a litter tray as I like gardening and don’t want him using the flowers beds.

BruteForce · 28/05/2021 23:31

@ViciousJackdaw

I am reminded of Trainspotting. When Tommy bought a kitten in an attempt to get Lizzie back. Ends up with toxoplasmosis from its shite. I have no idea why some (not all) cat owners think it is acceptable to put others at risk of something which can kill. It is no better than the metal spikes really.
One of the kids in school with me was blinded with this.

I'm severely allergic to cats and have young children playing in the garden. I'm always worried about the kids picking up toxoplasmosis from cat shit. I don't want other people's cats in my garden but haven't done anything about it yet. Yet. Reading this thread makes me think it's time I did.

My neighbour next door down put pricker strips up on the wall before we moved in. I've never seen or heard of any cat being hurt by it but they're obviously effective as they told me they've not had a single cat shit since it went up. They say we should do it on the other side but they have several cats and I know they'd complain.

They're lazy, dirty fuckers (in general) that keep the cats in during the day and throw them out overnight. I'd put good money on their cats never having been wormed. One is long-haired and looks like it's beyond grooming and now needs the matted coat removed.

One of the cats has come in several times during previous summers and sprayed my sofa and my bed. I've had to pay to have the house cleaned due to my allergy. I'm dreading summer again as the minute my back is turned it gets in through any open door or window.

We've also had to have the hospital fumigated twice due someone carrying cat fleas in that have set up home and bitten patients and staff. I had to take time off as I'm allergic to flea bites, too. It annoys me that owners can't be arsed to treat for fleas. It may not affect them but it certainly affects others.

Just because cats have the right to roam doesn't mean they have to. My friend has a very expensive Ragdoll that never goes out as she's very friendly and would no doubt get pinched. I've obviously not seen her at home but am told she's a very contented cat that's never missed roaming.

If only all cat owners were like her as she treats this cat like a queen. A lot of cat owners I know of (not all) think feeding a cat, buying it cute toys and petting it is all that ownership requires but moan their arses off if the cat adopts a new owner when they've let them roam. If you have cats look after them properly. I wouldn't let our dogs roam around the neighbourhood shitting all over the place. If you don't like neighbours putting up deterrents have a bit of decency, get off your arses and cat proof your own gardens or keep them indoors.

Toottootcar · 28/05/2021 23:31

I badly want a catio now. Had never heard of those.
don't even have a cat

Wineat5isfine · 28/05/2021 23:52

@Sleepybunny21

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!

But they aren’t pooping in your garden...