My cat hurt a child today

[BeautifulJames]

Little back story - a few weeks back a 2/3 year old was seen running around the cul de sac and in to front gardens of others. I was at my path when I said "can I help you?" To a woman I'm assuming was grandparent and the toddler standing by my door. She then replied "oh no we are OK. Tiring him out before mum comes home".

Thought ok... no problem... bit weird but I've just come back from a 13 hour shift and I just wanted to relax.

Fast forward today... my anxious cat (her territory is only the small patch of front garden and our home) was sitting on the grass when I heard toddler crying. It was the toddler back again in my front garden but this time my cat had attacked little one.... scratch on leg.

Grandparent shouting at me for having such a ferocious feral cat in MY own front garden.

Now I'm getting glares occasionally when I check outside.

I just need a bit of validation thar my cat acted well in her own rights (if you know what I mean) and surely I'm not responsible for a trespassing toddler?

I hate cats

but I think the granny should have been supervising the child more closely. I’d never allow my 3 year old to approach a cat!

Actually now she might start supervising her properly!!!

No you aren’t responsible and the cat was reasonably defending her right not to be mauled by a toddler. But cat scratches can be nasty so I hope they are keeping an eye on it.

I mean cats are cats. I love my cat but I'm super clear with any kids visiting that he likes his space. I'm assuming the granny was letting him approach to test and stroke which is irresponsible on her part. I'd ignore her.

100% the grandparents's fault. Who lets their toddler run into other people's front gardens? Wtf? 🙄

No. Poor grandparenting. No respect for others’ property. No respect for animals. Poor toddler and poor cat.

Child should have been kept out of your garden, it deserved being scratched if it was in your garden annoying your cat. Hopefully it's taught both child and grandparent a lesson about not messing with people's pets. Absolutely nothing wrong with your cat defending herself.

If the child had been annoying one of our cats, a scratch would be the least of its worries...

I'd be setting my cat on the feral child. But then my cat is so protective he chases dogs and foxes.

I have a feeling cats are classed as wild animals and owners are not responsible for them in law.

My cat once attacked a dog that was in my front garden. It was a Staffie and was scared shitless 🤣.

The owner was furious and I was like er keep your dog out my garden!

If your cat is anxious I very much doubt it went up to an unknown toddler OP? Sounds like granny is talking shit to me for taking her eyes off her charge....

The grandmother is clearly at fault here but the dc has probably learned a useful lesson.

Cat runs away from her own shadow. She's normally good with kids, too. I have 4 darling children myself.

Kid should have stayed away from the cat. Granny should have been supervising. My cats have scratched my kids before now. They most likely deserved it

Totally grandparents fault for letting them run up to an unfamiliar animal. The cat was just being a cat.

The general entitlement of thinking it was perfectly OK to allow toddler to have fun in other peoples front gardens just blew my mind

Poor cat.

Grandparent issue completely!

Hopefully the cat is okay?

You did no wrong, the shadow proclaims!
The cheek of them. Supervise your littles properly people!

Can we have a cat photo plz?

Grandma needs to keep
the kid away from a cat that’s sat in her own garden!

🤣🤣 Feral child.

Just completely gobsmacked me - cat normally does not attack children... or at least mine without extremely good reason. Just the idea of thinking playing in other people's front gardens was OK and left me gobsmacked.

Your cat isn’t to blame. Sometimes I find grandparents more entitled than the parents.

Hopefully she will start taking responsibility for the child now.

I'm no cat lover but #TeamCat on this occasion. Pity it didn't scratch granny but there's always next time.

DC shouldn't be entering your garden. Grandma shouldn't be allowing DC to enter your garden and should be watching DC at all times. Your cat was in her own garden, minding her own business when this toddler messed with her and got scratched. Hopefully, DC has learned a valuable lesson (don't mess with cats) and grandma has also learned to supervise her GC and not let the DC go into other people's gardens! Win/win.

This is she!