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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:
youvegottenminuteslynn · 09/07/2021 05:41

@MissMaple82

Actually you could very well find yourself in trouble under the dangerous dogs act. The dog is considered to be out of control of it harms anyone or any animal even on your own property. I lost my cat due to a dog attack under the same circumstances and I regret not going ahead and pressing charges.

This isn't true. The law does not state this at all, what a ridiculously irresponsible thing to say when OP is already upset.

I do wish people would stop stating things like this as fact when they simply aren't.

Oh and you can't 'press charges' in any legal situation.

You can report, give statements etc but 'pressing charges' is a decision made only by the prosecutor dealing with a case, not by the alleged victim of a crime.

Justilou1 · 09/07/2021 05:42

What a horrible man! Firstly, bullying you like that! Not acceptable - ever! I understand that he is upset about his cat, who wouldn’t be? He’s not taking responsibility for it, though. Honestly, what was he expecting? I imagine if another cat went into his back garden, his cat would attack it. The only difference is that the owner wouldn’t know where the inevitable infected abscesses came from, and wouldn’t know who else to try and bill for the vet’s fees. He is being unreasonable for expecting your dog not to chase it. You shouldn’t be legally liable for this. You didn’t willingly accept responsibility for his cat while it was on your premises. You didn’t give them permission for it to enter your property whenever it likes, nor did you ever make any promise of duty of care for it - specifically regarding specifically regarding protection from your dog who DOES have free roaming rights of your property. You can imply that THEY have been negligent.

SconesJamthenCream · 09/07/2021 05:55

Hope you are OK this morning OP.

I have a dog and a cat. I worry about my cat going out but I know it's my responsibility if something happened to my cat if it gets into a dogs garden.

Cats get into fights with other cats; should other cat owners pay for my cat if their animal beats her up?

Of course you feel sorry for the cat, you are a decent person. Maybe you should suggest a private prosecution for trespass by their cat? They are being that absurd!

CovidCorvid · 09/07/2021 06:01

@rosalie11

Erm it’s not “natural” for dogs to hate cats wtf I have two of these dogs which live with an 12yr old cat which bullies them! Dogs can be trained, cats can to an extent
My dog lives with two cats and is best friends with them, sleep on the same bed….one cat bullies the dog, etc.

However dog goes nuts if she sees a strange cat in the garden…if she caught one maybe she would bite it? Other cats have the sense to only walk along the back fence and shed roofs, not come onto the grass.

youvegottenminuteslynn · 09/07/2021 06:14

@rosalie11

I hope if that's your dog he / she was rescued by you from whoever mutilated it's ears and that you didn't decide to get it done. Horrific they go through that totally unnecessary experience.

MoppaSprings · 09/07/2021 06:21

@GiantHaystacks2021@TheGobhoblin

Why can’t cats be kept inside? Why is it a wild concept to keep a much loved pet indoors or in a cat run or cat proofed garden?

User112 · 09/07/2021 06:31

I’m so angry on your behalf OP. Don’t pay anything. If he bangs again, call the police. Your neighbours are super cheeky to let their cat roam free and demand you pay vet bills !! Tell them their cat scratched your dog near the eye and they need to pay your dogs vet bills. How fucking dare they! Don’t pay a penny. What goodwill ??

Give your dog a good telling off and that’s all you’ll do about it.

wishawish91 · 09/07/2021 06:39

I have a cat and a dog.

The dog is absolutely nuts in the best way but a total wuss, he runs from butterflies! 🥴

He adores my cat and the cat adores him so he's used to cats however I know the risk of my cat being an outdoor one, he's barely in (has a cat flap) apart from food and on a rainy or windy night.

I know that he could cross paths with a fox, jump into somebody's garden who's dog could do this or be hit by a car.

It is not your fault, your garden is secure, your dog was on your property, this is the risk outdoor cat owners take.

Offering to pay half was generous of you, as for him being rude and threatening to prosecute, let him do what he wants. You won't be in trouble unless your dog attacked whilst you were out (dog out of control).

People keep guard dogs in their gardens fgs.

I feel sorry for their cat being hurt but their insurance will cover the cost (unless they don't have any which is their problem).

Hope you're okay this morning cx

Wheelz46 · 09/07/2021 06:42

So your neighbour lets their cat free roam without having any pet insurance, the ball lies in their court. I wonder what their thoughts would have been if the cat had injured your dog, would they have paid up or would they have said, animals being animals?

The cat came onto your property and your dog acted on instinct just like a cat would if it saw a bird.

What would the neighbour have done if his cat got injured by a car, would he expect the driver to pay up? Would he pay up if the drivers car were to be damaged in the process?

I am both cat and a dog lover and would not expect you to pay the vet bill in those circumstances or in any circumstance really as my pet insurance would cover it.

DeadSouth · 09/07/2021 06:47

Purely for the fact they are harassing you about it I’d not pay.
I have had cats all my life and they should be insured if they are outdoors especially as they are curious and get into everything, one of my childhood cats lost a leg in an attack and my mum didn’t ask for a penny towards it, cats will be cats.

ProbablyGryffindor · 09/07/2021 06:48

I have a cat. If he entered a secure garden and was bitten, I’d be paying the whole vets bill for my own cat. I think you have been generous for offering to pay half to be honest. If I was you, I’d offer to pay half again, and if they demand full, I’d withdraw my offer, and pay nothing.

Could you call the non emergency police helpline and say you’re concerned? See what they say? I don’t think they’d do anything.

LST · 09/07/2021 06:48

[quote MoppaSprings]**@GiantHaystacks2021@TheGobhoblin

Why can’t cats be kept inside? Why is it a wild concept to keep a much loved pet indoors or in a cat run or cat proofed garden?[/quote]
If they're used to roaming it's cruel

FrangipaniBlue · 09/07/2021 06:49

Ahh apologies @floatingboater !

JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth · 09/07/2021 06:49

You are absolutely not at fault and by law you are only liable for injuries caused by your dog in public spaces, not in your own home and that includes your garden. Do not pay a penny and tell him to never darken your door again

LST · 09/07/2021 06:53

@GreyhoundG1rl

One does not "let a cat roam anywhere". Cats are cats. They roam. Cats can be contained in their own gardens. It's a very simple thing to do. I think it should be mandatory, tbh.
Not all gardens and it would be cruel for some cats
Cam77 · 09/07/2021 06:55

Their pet shouldn’t be in your garden. Dogs chase cats - it’s their nature. Idiot neighbor.

tabctrlnoanykey · 09/07/2021 06:56

Clearly this is not your fault. Terrifies me that anyone could think it was. This neighbour sounds like a cheeky fucker. Probably would try to charge you for fertiliser if the cat crapped all over your garden too.

Drovememad · 09/07/2021 06:59

@noirchatsdeux I think cats owners like you are vile and entitled. Keep your cat in your own garden and not mine.

sixswans · 09/07/2021 07:03

The cat came into his territory, it's not his fault, or yours. Sad for the cat of course but natural behaviour.

SofiaMichelle · 09/07/2021 07:03

I hope you're ok, OP.

Some of the replies in this thread... keep dogs muzzled/restrained in their own garden in case someone's cat decides to visit?!?!

Are you on bloody glue?!

The cheek of some people! Especially given how much wildlife cats mutilate and kill themselves.

Do not worry about your dog, OP. This isn't your, or your dog's, fault.

sunglassesonthetable · 09/07/2021 07:15

It was kind of you to offer to pay half Op but given that your neighbour is trying to intimidate and threaten you I don't think you should pay anything.

He's a nasty CF who is totally in the wrong on this.

Terhou · 09/07/2021 07:16

@JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth

You are absolutely not at fault and by law you are only liable for injuries caused by your dog in public spaces, not in your own home and that includes your garden. Do not pay a penny and tell him to never darken your door again
Not relevant to OP, but this is nonsense. If a badly trained and uncontrolled dog attacked someone on its owner's premises the owner could certainly be liable. However, that wouldn't apply in OP's case because essentially if you let your cat roam you accept the risk that they will be attacked by other animals who see them as coming onto their territory.
LunaAndHer3Stars · 09/07/2021 07:20

@rosalie11

A dog which was the same breed as my dog bit him, it took ages to get the other dog off him as he “locked on” to my dog. I took him to the vets (Rscpa) and it cost £75 I didn’t even pressure the woman just wanted my dog to get to a vet. The others who saw it wanted to cal police, I think someone did but nothing come of it.

They can sue in civil court (and the excuse their cat shouldn’t be in your garden won’t work! You can’t tell a cat off!) but it is unreasonable and I think if you write them a letter with the apology and half the money in cash it may change their mind. People always act different when they see cash!

Good luck

Do not write them a letter, at all, let alone apologising. I don't think they could legally do anything with it, but I wouldn't take the chance. And OP already offered half out of the goodness of her heart. NDN response was to try to bully and intimidate her. I'd feel sorry for the cat in this situation, but I wouldn't give people like them an inch.
Mrstreehouse · 09/07/2021 07:21

Any news OP? Did your DH go round?

3Britnee · 09/07/2021 07:24

@Bluetoybear

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.
I'd tell them to get fucked. These are the risks they take by allowing their cat to roam. They could get that inward cage type stuff to put all around their fence to stop it getting out but seeing as they haven't, its their problem imo.