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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My dog bit a cat 😪

982 replies

Bluetoybear · 08/07/2021 18:00

Please be kind as I am so stressed over this.. name changed for this SadI have a 7 year old dog which is only walked on a lead 3 times a day in local park and let out in my back garden throughout the day for a wee etc. My back garden has a 6 foot fence around it so my dog can't get out. Yesterday the neighbours cat jumped into my garden and my dog ran after it and bit it on its legSad. My neighbour has taken the poor cat to the vets and has had a big vets bill for it and neighbours husband has came round at tea time demanding I pay it all. He was very vocal about it and said if I don't pay it he will 'sue/take me to court/get in touch with authority's saying my dog is dangerous etc. I am so worried as the cat has awful injuries. I have offered to pay half out of goodwill but neighbours telling me I need to pay all of the bill which I can't afford.

OP posts:
Sciurus83 · 08/07/2021 18:08

Stop worrying, your dog was secure on your property and the cat came into YOUR garden. You are not responsible, you do not owe anything.

OldTinHat · 08/07/2021 18:08

Oh tell them to feck off OP. Their cat was in YOUR garden! Their problem for not being in control of their pet.

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 08/07/2021 18:08

How do you prevent a cat entering a garden? Asking for a friend.

How is that OP responsibility?

warmfluffytowels · 08/07/2021 18:09

@Bluetoybear

I have dog insurance but I think it only covers if my dog is sick etc and needs treatment.
Some parties have third-party coverage, it's worth ringing to check.

But personally I don't think you're responsible. Your dog was in it's own home and garden - the cat came into your garden and the dog acted naturally.

Owners shouldn't let their cats roam if they don't want to take the risks that come with it. There's a reason why catios and cat-proofed gardens are becoming more and more common.

Twinstudy · 08/07/2021 18:09

I've had cats and dogs and I'm pretty sure this isn't your responsibility. If you choose to let your cat roam this is a risk you take unfortunately. I feel for the cat and the owners but what are you supposed to never let your dog out in your secured garden in case a cat wanders in?

FrankButchersDickieBow · 08/07/2021 18:09

Ha!! Cheeky bastards.

I wouldn't be giving them a fucking penny!

Their cat came into your garden. They know you have a dog.

FourTeaFallOut · 08/07/2021 18:10

In your back garden? No, he can get bent. I wouldn't be paying half.

If they made the decision to let their cat roam then it comes with certain risks, pissing off a dog in their own garden is one of them.

Doveyouknow · 08/07/2021 18:10

I am cat owner and I would not expect you to pay. If you let your cat roam it's a risk you take.

Newdad19 · 08/07/2021 18:10

They should have insurance for their cat just as you do for your dog. Not your problem.

JustCallMeBubblesDahling · 08/07/2021 18:10

Good god, just seen you offered to pay half! I bloody wouldn’t especially as your neighbour is being a twat about it.

Say you’ve taken advice and you’re not liable. Ask why they don’t have insurance especially as they there is a dog next door and their cat comes it’s garden.

lifeinlimbo2020 · 08/07/2021 18:11

Ummmm...... @Boood the dog was in its own garden 😮

cadburyegg · 08/07/2021 18:11

YANBU. I’m a cat owner, if my neighbours’ dog bit my cat and they offered to pay half, I would find that exceedingly generous. My cat is insured though.

However, I would check with your insurance because a lot of dog insurance does cover events like this.

You would also be wise to ensure this doesn’t happen again, either by muzzling your dog when it’s in the garden or supervising it.

ArcherDog · 08/07/2021 18:11

Dog warden specialising in dog law - cat was in your garden, not your responsibility.
Paying half is a nice gesture but you are not legally responsible for it.

Original poster
Bluetoybear · 08/07/2021 18:11

I am in tears, as my husbands working away and I have been unable to reach him yet, and the neighbours husband has had a right go at me.. I feel awful about the poor cat Sad

OP posts:
Watchingyou2sleezes · 08/07/2021 18:11

Wouldn't give them a penny.

Let 'em crack on with the mythical court case etc..

lifeinlimbo2020 · 08/07/2021 18:11

@Thisisthemonth exactly. In human terms it would be trespass 🤣🤣

FreedFromHomeSchooling · 08/07/2021 18:12

I own both dogs & a cat. If my cat got into someone else’s garden & was injured, I feel that the responsibility was on me to pay the vets bill - that’s what insurance is for.
You were kind to offer half but seeing as they threw that back in your face, they can deal with all of it now.

warmfluffytowels · 08/07/2021 18:12

@Boood

You need to find a way of covering the bill. This is why dogs aren’t supposed to be left unsupervised- because when they bite, they can do serious damage.
What about the fact that the cat was unsupervised on OP's property @Boood? Hmm

OP's dog was in it's own secure garden, minding it's own business.

Whoarethewho · 08/07/2021 18:12

Not your problem if cat in your garden. Cat owners should keep their cars out of others gardens.

nimbuscloud · 08/07/2021 18:12

You would also be wise to ensure this doesn’t happen again, either by muzzling your dog when it’s in the garden or supervising it.
I would not be doing either of those things.

Justcallmebebes · 08/07/2021 18:13

Sorry OP but I'm guessing the responsibility is all yours. [flowers}

This is wrong. If your dog was in their garden then yes, you would be. You have a secure garden and the cat was on your property. You are not liable

Piffle11 · 08/07/2021 18:13

Cats go where they want, but I don’t think you’re liable for the bill when your dog was in YOUR garden! If your dog jumped into their garden and attacked their pet, then fair enough, but that isn’t what happened. The cat must have got pretty close to your dog in order to get caught: cats can usually out run or out manoeuvre a dog. Neighbours are trying it on, and the shouting and threatening to report you is bluster to try and scare you into coughing up. Don’t pay them anything: If they actually did report you and your dog, I can’t really imagine anything happening… The dog was in your garden, where he is allowed to be, haps they should keep an eye on their cat!

Somethingsnappy · 08/07/2021 18:13

OP, you are definitely NOT responsible for paying any of their cat's vet bill. The cat came onto your property and this is the risk the owners have to take. I would retract your exceedingly kind offer to pay half under the circumstances. You have done nothing wrong. There is nothing your neighbours can do x

SMaCM · 08/07/2021 18:13

When I was a child our cat was badly bitten by the dog next door and had to be put down in the end. We claimed on our cat insurance. Your dog insurance might cover it, but I'm not convinced your liable. Can you speak to your insurance and get their opinion.

Chickpea22 · 08/07/2021 18:13

We have both cats and a dog and I would never expect someone else to pay for our cats vets treatment if it had gone in someone else’s garden. Cats are having scraps all the time but I wouldn’t think of asking another cats owner to pay up. Bonkers.