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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cat scratching neighbours car?

95 replies

MotherofPoodles · 15/06/2021 22:27

We have 5 cats, not intentionally a stray gave birth and we got them all spayed and then kept them. I live in a farm so nearest neighbour is half a mile away. Neighbours daughter took a shine to one of the cats and we had a few reports of friends seeing her petting him etc. Contact was made with the neighbour by my husband as obviously initially we were worried he'd been lost. A few times we collected him but as they'd been having him in the house at this point we were fighting a losing battle.

Fast forward to now the cat has adopted this family and now won't leave. Tonight we've had a text to say this cat has now caused damage to their car on 2 occasions by scratching it, caught on camera. We haven't seen him for weeks despite looking.

Where do we stand? My husband I think should have been firmer and said if you don't want the cat visiting don't pet him/stroke/feed/take into your house. But he just apologised and went to collect him. We have photos of their daughter holding the cat in their house. Please advise if ibu to tell them to piss off? He's taking his care into the garage to be assessed.

OP posts:
IAmDaveTheSerialShagger · 15/06/2021 22:55

Unless he kidnapped a tiger I'm stuck trying to imagine how a cat could cause a car any damage? I would take the piss and tell him to put some antiseptic cream on in case the car gets infected!Grin

KitBumbleB · 15/06/2021 22:55

My cat eats the wall, not the wallpaper, the wall

I would definitely believe the cat has scratched the paint work but it's their cat now right so...? Tough...

MsFogi · 15/06/2021 22:57

Unless the car is covered in carpet I am not buying the car scratching!

Bargebill19 · 15/06/2021 23:01

Ok, so some have said that a cat can scratch paint work. Well, mine regularly jump up and down on my boats coach work usually not quite making it unless they touch the cabin work - scratches, if any are far less damaging than brushes with trees!
Give him a bottle of car polish and some rags and take back your cat. Or say tough! You took ownership of the cat and anything it does.
Then sprinkle the car with cat nip….

Original poster
MotherofPoodles · 15/06/2021 23:04

Thanks for all the replies, really appreciated! Here's the messages sent to my husband.

Cat scratching neighbours car?
OP posts:
Clymene · 15/06/2021 23:07

My cat and the neighbours 3 cats regularly sunbathe on top of my car. I've never noticed any scratches.

Tell Justin to just piss off. Or take you to court. He won't get far

grooovychick · 15/06/2021 23:09

Picture not clear but looks like it just needs a clean.
Anyway on that back of that I'd be doing exactly what @CoraPirbright said. CF

CrazyCatsAndKittens · 15/06/2021 23:10

Sorry, I can’t see the scratches through the dirt!

I think it’s difficult because ultimately you don’t want to sour relations with your neighbor, but you also don’t want to be a mug.

Did your husband speak to them when he picked up the cat?

Hawkins001 · 15/06/2021 23:12

That looks like it's just mud, and I'm doubtful about the cat ring responsible

romdowa · 15/06/2021 23:14

I'd reply back well I'm sorry but in future you need to keep your cat away from your car.

ChatterMonkey · 15/06/2021 23:14

So despite his accusations he hasnt actually shown the footage of the cat supposedly causing the damage...

I would just continue to ignore him tbh.

hamsterchump · 15/06/2021 23:16

Cats aren't considered property like dogs so legally you won't be liable for the damage so you could just ignore it.

Shesellsseashellsontheseashore · 15/06/2021 23:16

As he said 'your cat' in the message, the reply should have been which one of our cats has done that damage we have x number of cats here. When he referred to stolen cat say oh no that's your cat isn't it? It lives at your house now it's been fed, petted and allowed in etc.

CrazyCatsAndKittens · 15/06/2021 23:17

It seems like you are usually quite friendly with them. Would it be worth a face to face chat?

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/06/2021 23:18

I would suggest as they have taken over looking after him you transfer vets insurance,health plan etc over to them at £x amount month?

I would laugh at the cat scratching nonsense!

NigellaAwesome · 15/06/2021 23:21

I can't see anything that looks like cat scratches. We did have a cat who liked to jump on bonnets, and she did cause some very minor surface scratches, but it would have three parallel lines.

They are cheeky fuckers. I would reply that if they stopped feeding and petting the cat, then she wouldn't be as inclined to visit. In any event, you aren't responsible for that cat's actions and won't be paying.

HelgaDownUnder · 15/06/2021 23:29

The car is filthy. Although the cat is now his, I'd still want to see the so-called footage.
Cats jump on cars, but the damage would be indistinguishable from damage caused by the crusted mud.
He sounds batshit to be honest.

Nitpickpicnic · 15/06/2021 23:30

‘I guess your cat feels it’s his car too? You might want to have a word to him about that, as you would with any other family member? Unless you mean one of the cats which live and eat here?’

HelgaDownUnder · 15/06/2021 23:31

@ChatterMonkey

So despite his accusations he hasnt actually shown the footage of the cat supposedly causing the damage...

I would just continue to ignore him tbh.

Exactly, why send an obviously shit photo when there is this damning footage...
Bargebill19 · 15/06/2021 23:32

Looks like there’s a massive dent in it to me.

Still- do not pay.

Bargebill19 · 15/06/2021 23:34

I will admit to seeing a dirty paw print. Suggest he washes the car using soapy water and a sponge. He can practice by washing yours as a way to apologise.

AnAwesomePossum · 15/06/2021 23:39

Tell them the cat moved out a few weeks ago and is no longer yours. Any further communication will need to be directly with the car/ cat’s solicitor.

k1233 · 15/06/2021 23:39

Speaking from experience, dog claw marks up a bonnet, windscreen and roof can be buffed out. I'd expect that would be the first option, before going the respray route.

AnAwesomePossum · 15/06/2021 23:41

Cat*

steff13 · 15/06/2021 23:48

I want to see the video. Can you imagine the sound a cat's claws would make on the metal part of a car? I feel like it would only do that once...