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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:
Whoarethewho · 08/07/2021 18:14

Btw I am amazed you offered to pay a penny to them.

Pesimistic · 08/07/2021 18:14

They are being U. Your dog was in its own garden, you shouldn't pay anything.

DazzlingHaze · 08/07/2021 18:14

I'm a cat owner and I would say it's entirely the cat owners responsibility. How stupid can you be to let your cat outside when you haven't insured it? You were really kind to offer half but now they've been so horrible I wouldn't pay a penny. Nothing will happen to you or your dog.

warmfluffytowels · 08/07/2021 18:14

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.

What a pile of bollocks. It's OP's private property. If people don't want their cats to get hurt, they shouldn't let them out to free-roam unsupervised.

Inthesameboatatmo · 08/07/2021 18:15

I have 2 dogs and 2 cats , the cats are free roaming.
You are in no way responsible for this at all.
Their cat was in your garden.
If your dog had got into their garden and attacked then that's a different story entirely.
They need to pay by whatever means, but if they dont have insurance that is their problem not yours.

supadupapupascupa · 08/07/2021 18:15

The cat owner is intimidating you. Do nothing. Don't Hand over a penny. This isn't your fault or your problem. If he comes around again tell him to go away or you call the police.

simonisnotme · 08/07/2021 18:16

Even if they could get over that hurdle you could argue they were contributorily negligent. I have to say I'm not sure that would survive a challenge. Cats are presumed to be semi wild animals and their owners are not commonly liable for their roaming but it is a bit rich of them to expect their cat to be able to come into your dog's garden without permission and claim the vet's bills from you.

If you have third party insurance though then just let your insurers deal with this.

He may complain to the police. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 doesn't apply because this is not an injury or reasonable apprehension to a person but they could drop down upon the Dogs' Act 1871. That is just a civil complaint and it just carries either destruction or a control order. Its to be hoped they do not take that action. its difficult to see what measures could be added to a control order that would have made any difference here. Also, there is case law that says that its in the nature of dogs to chase small furries. That case doesn't involve a cat but the principle is the same.
found this on a legal site

HerrenaHarridan · 08/07/2021 18:17

Muzzle a dog alone in its own garden?!?

Tell me you’re joking?

ShitPoetryClub · 08/07/2021 18:17

This is bonkers, I've got a cat, if it is stupid enough to go into next doors garden and get bitten by their German Shepherd then the neighbours are absolutely not liable.
I also have a dog, if he eats one of the other neighbours six cats while they are in my garden, we are also not liable.
Dogs are territorial, you aren't liable if your dog is on his own property and good luck asking your insurance to pay! Why should they when they aren't liable?
You neighbour is as cheeky as they come.

ScottishNewbie · 08/07/2021 18:17

You're not responsible for paying at all. I would be telling them to cat proof their garden or get a Catio.
This is why I don't believe cats should be able to wander. My cats are so happy and contented without roaming the streets. Cats and dogs should have the same rules imo.

magicstar1 · 08/07/2021 18:17

Don’t give him a penny! Your dog was in his own garden and the cat trespassed. None of this is your responsibility at all.

Lechessoir · 08/07/2021 18:18

I have two cats.
One of my old moggies had a terrible day once, she had a fight with a neighbours cat, and then got nipped by another neighbours dog(after terrorising it for months) I wouldn’t have dreamt of going to their houses and demanding payment, it’s why I took out insurance for my cats Confused

summerfun12 · 08/07/2021 18:18

I've got a terrier. If any animal comes in the garden she will attempt to kill it. She sees no difference in rats,mice,rabbits or cats ( even moles!)
Terrier is the sweetest dog I've ever owned. However she's a dog and for her chasing and killing prey is in her genetic makeup just as ( vile imo) cats torture and kill birds mice rats etc

MyMabel · 08/07/2021 18:19

I have a cat and although this is unfortunate I think paying half is good enough. I wouldn’t expect you to pay I don’t think. My view is the cat was on your property and although you can’t control a outside cat, your dog was in your garden and wasn’t able to get out and cause mischief. It could not have been prevented by you unless you keep your dog inside at all times which isn’t feasible.

I’m sorry you’re in this situation. I’d offer to pay half as you have and leave it at that. They can go to the authority’s but given the cat hopped a 6ft fence to get into your garden with your animal I don’t think there grounds for prosecution.

summerfun12 · 08/07/2021 18:19

Apologies for the vile jibe about cats. That wasn't fair

Oversize · 08/07/2021 18:20

@ArcherDog

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.
End of story IMO. Don't pay a penny.
gamerchick · 08/07/2021 18:20

Free roaming law. He wouldn't get anywhere in court I should think. You've been more than generous to pay half.

If he comes back, ring the police, tell them there's an aggressive man at your door and you're alone. They'll come and have a word with him.

ForeverSausages · 08/07/2021 18:21

I can't understand how you would be liable for the vet bill considering the cat was on your property. So if a child climbed over your garden fence, got bit by your dog, you would be liable? No I'm sorry I wouldn't have even offered half. And this is the reason people should have pet insurance.

MurdockTheMouse · 08/07/2021 18:21

They should have pet insurance for their cat…

ChardonnaysPetDragon · 08/07/2021 18:21

Is your dog OK? I’d be asking for your vet bill to be covered if there are any scratches on him?

queenMab99 · 08/07/2021 18:22

Not your responsibility, the cat came in your garden, the dog behaved like a dog. Even if you had been supervising it, you could not have done anything. You sound like a responsible owner.

FlyingPandas · 08/07/2021 18:22

I literally cannot believe anyone would have the brass neck to demand full payment for this op.

As others have said if your dog was out of control in a park, or had escaped your garden and got into the cat’s garden to attack it...different story.

But you have a secure garden. Cat came into your garden. The dog attacked it. It’s really sad and I would feel awful too about the cat’s injuries but this is Not. Your. Fault.

Nor is it your dog’s fault.

Dogs chase and would harm/kill cats.
Cats chase and would harm/kill smaller furries like rabbits and guinea pigs.
It’s nature. Your dog was in its own garden and behaving like a dog.

Cat owner is massively out of order.

TokyoSushi · 08/07/2021 18:22

I have a cat and a dog, my cat roams all over, if he gets injured, it's basically my fault (unless something deliberate happens) and I pay the bill.

The cat was in your garden, your dogs home, you shouldn't be paying anything.

OhEff · 08/07/2021 18:23

Your dog insurance should have a clause to cover accidental injury to a third party. If it doesn't you're not properly insured.

Flowerlane · 08/07/2021 18:25

Your dog was on your property the cat entered your private property so it’s not your problem.

I will put money on them not having insurance thats why they are asking you to pay.

Do not even pay half. You are not in the wrong.

If they report your dog then it won’t get far as the dog was in your garden so I wouldn’t worry about that.

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