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?

Cats are classed as wild animals and are not subject to the same laws as dogs.
You piss them off at your own risk.
Tell the grandmother if she continues to allow the toddler to run wild around the neighbourhood you will report to social services for child neglect

I got attacked by a cat on my own doorstep the other day. I have a couple of scratches on my finger. I was stroking it and then it turned into a hissing bitey scratchy beast.

I always stroke cats I see, but there's always a risk they'll turn, and it's a risk I'm prepared to take.

My child got scratched by a friends cat when he was a toddler. He wasn't rough, just stroked it. She was mortified but these things happen.

The grandmother shouldn't be letting the kid into other peoples gardens. Spray them with a water pistol to keep them off your property.

Awww she's lovely!
Sad to think toddler must've been annoying her ;(

Was the causus belli the child's presence or was did it actually touch the cat, even if with entirely friendly intent?

My parents taught me to be careful with dogs and downright wary with cats.

As an adult I've had one sit contentedly on my knee for ten minutes and lash out with extended claws for some slight I'd not known.

interesting how the responses would be different if it was a dog. Then the dog owner would be at fault for not supervising or training the dog properly.

OMG your cat is adorable 🥰

Do you have a shared garden space op? Why would you be ok with people in your garden otherwise?
Also if your cat attacked my child, I'd have the cat put down. No pet should be attacking children and I am shocked anyone is ok with it on a forum for mothers!
It's mumsnet not catsnet

Mine scratched my friends kid once after I'd told her time and time again not to pull his tail cos 1 he was sleeping and 2 it wasn't very nice and he didn't like it. He'd already given a couple of low growls. Went over and pulled his tail again and this time he went for her and scratched her hand. Friend wasn't impressed but I told her it served her daughter right for not listening to me when I'd already forewarned her not to do it. They stopped coming round after that which dearly departed DCat was most pleased about

I'm not sure. I wasn't watching - I just saw cat backed up and toddler in tears. She lives with 4 children from 2 - 10, so I'm sure she needed a bit of encouragement to attack.... so to speak

Team cat!

Shouldn't be in other people gardens then! Cat is in the clear in my book.
And bloody gorgeous

If a dog had done the same no doubt there would be rabid calls for it to be put down 🙄

Also team cat.

My own personal garden. Fence and all.

I'm no cat fan but a toddler running into other peoples gardens is going to come unstuck at some point and this was one possible way.

A cat can only do so much damage and they are not held to the same laws as dogs, so no, it's not interesting at all.

Team cat, she is gorgeous and vindicated. Granny is daft and entitled to let her grandchild have free reign to other people front gardens, they are private property not public parks.

I think that post was tongue in cheek, @BeautifulJames (mostly because nobody is that thick and obtuse) 😁

Cats are not trainable, so the law says you are not responsible for their actions. There is nothing you can do to stop them doing what they want to do.

🎻

Law is on the cat's side. So get it right up ye.

put down for a scratch? Do behave 😂

Only if the dog attacked. They do run up to people!

Yes there is: keep them inside!

However, I think the cat (and any other animal or human) can defend themselves to the best of their judgement and abilities. Especially if threatened with sticky and unwashed toddler hands!

Why I fucking love cats!!! They taketh no shit!!!! yanbu 😆

Your cat felt threatened and the child shouldn't have been in your garden!

I'd be telling Grandmother to keep the toddler from trespassing on your garden.