New neighbours cat

[butterflycatching]

Not so much an AIBU, because I am not going to change my mind, but it has been playing on my mind for a few days now.

I moved into a new-build a few months ago. I was the first one to complete, and the development has been gradually filling up. I have the house on the end of the development and next to me is woodland.

New neighbours moved into the house next door last week and popped round- I thought to introduce themselves. But, they actually asked if before I let my dog out in the garden if I would check that their cat wasn't in my garden so it doesn't get hurt, and if I would consider removing the pyracantha (spiky plant) I have planted on the woods side fence so their cat can use that as access to the woods.

I told them no, I had planted that for security, but I would happily plant more along their fence side too if it will keep their cat away from my dog. I then got a whole explanation of they were hoping to encourage the cat to use my garden side towards the woods for roaming- rather than the other gardens which eventually lead up to the road. I was left thinking they thought I was very difficult.

I am not wrong in thinking this is bonkers and entitled? I can't be checking the whole garden for their cat every time I let the dog out. And you can't train a cat to roam in a particular direction anyway!!

They’re probably hoping that their cat will shit in your garden instead of theirs as well. I would ignore them, they sound ridiculous. It’s your garden, what you do with it is none of their business.

How cheeky of them, to just assume their cat can go into your garden. Especially given you have a dog. I'd make your garden as unwelcoming to the cat as possible and I certainly wouldn't be checking for their cat before letting my dog out.

I'd check the garden quickly for a very short while just until the cat knows there's a dog living there. Cats are smart, if they don't like the dog, they'll stop visiting.

The rest of the stuff though? Not so much.

PMSL. Our dogs will sit quietly at the patio doors waiting for any cats to come in unaware. Then when we open the door they shoot out all guns blazing. In a way we are doing all the local cats and their owners a favour. The cats know 100% not to come in our garden so they avoid it like the plague. The ones who forget soon learn. Bonus is we dont have cat shit in our garden ever.

Absolutely ridiculous of them.
So cheeky.

I certainly would not be messing about checking my garden every time I let the dog out. And removing plants in my garden so that their cat can use it for access is a big fat no. I would be accepting by now that there is never going to be a particularly great relationship with these people because their demands impinge upon other people and are not reasonable.

Just ignore them. I have dogs and a cat and the cat will soon learn not to go in your garden if you have a dog.

Well done for telling the cheeky fuckers no. Their cat can run back into their own garden if the dog goes out.

I have a cat and dog and these ppl are CF. I wouldn’t be checking my garden, it’s up to them to keep their cat safe.

Tell them yes you'll check the garden for the cat - and then don't bother. How will they know? Cat ain't gonna tell them. The cat will learn about the dog all by itself.
The plant stuff? Ignore.
They sound bonkers. And I prefer cats to dogs but if I had a cat I'd never, ever think anything to do with the cat's behaviour was anything I'd need to ask my neighbours to modify their gardens or their dog's actions for. My cat, my problem.

My neighbours all have cats. I have a terrier. The cats still come into my garden but with one eye over their shoulder, and if they hear the door open they are sprinting up and over the wall as fast as their little furry legs will go. I love cats and I'd love to have one sit on my garden bench for a stroke, but my insane hunting-machine won't tolerate them. I don't 'check' before I open the door because the cat could be in the undergrowth, hidden behind something or in the shed, I'm not checking the entire garden before I release the hound!

Ridiculous. Ignore all of it. And I’m a cat person (with two) who’s not fussed either way on dogs. It would be way worse for the cat if they felt “secure” when they went out, but they’re not silly and they’d avoid your garden anyway. FWIW I’ve moved with my cats - one now goes out more than ever and one never does! Who can tell with cats 🤷‍♀️ that’s the beauty of them. Neighbour is unreasonable for thinking they can engineer something, when they didn’t buy the last house along (yours).

Absolutely bonkers. Do not give these cf'ers an inch.

Thinking about it (and in the absence of a diagram!) would the cat not go over the back fence into the wood? Or if there's a house behind, into their garden and then over their side fence into the wood? Your firethorn hedge fence surely isn't the ONLY way for the cat to access the fields beyond?

But, they actually asked if before I let my dog out in the garden if I would check that their cat wasn't in my garden so it doesn't get hurt

If they’re concerned about their cat getting hurt by your dog / plants / whatever they could always get a catio to keep the cat in their own garden. If you let a cat roam, you accept that it may come into contact with other animals, plants, cars…

Yes they are bonkers and entitled. The cat will keep well out of the dogs way anyway.
Its the neighbours problem if their cat prefers going towards the road (and probably will because cats are like that) .

Ignore them and plant what ever you like wherever you like.

If they are so afraid, they should add cat fencing to their own garden, or a catio.

I will always check the garden before letting my dog out, for cats, injured birds or an open gate or other hazard but not because a loony, that thinks they can micromanage where an outdoor cat is going, wants me to.

I would’ve probably suggested keeping their cat indoors if they were worried about the road, that it is recommended for cat owners these days both due to cats being killed on roads and killing off the wildlife.

I'm a cat lover , and have cats but you are not aibu .
Just plant what you want , let you dog out whenever , and ignore them .

Their back fence goes onto another house that my garden runs along side too. I am essentially blocking the whole way onto the wood, unless they go out the front of the house.

I know its cheeky of them to ask, but I feel on the back foot a bit, because they asked for 2 things and I wouldn't accommodate either of them! They also said they hadn't realised they were buying next to a house with a dog... but surely that's the danger with a new build, you don't have any idea who is moving in!

And what if you hadn't had a dog but sold the house - would they try to stop anyone with a dog moving in? I see what you mean about the gardens, but the cat will find a way if it wants to get out - it can go out another way and walk round?

Don't for one second think of accommodating their cat - although I suspect that they are going to be 'those neighbours' of the kind that ask you not to hang your underwear on the line because it's 'not respectful' or to make any sound at all after 5pm.

That’s just batshit op. I thought you were going to say you were in flats with a shared garden or something. But having to ask every time you let your dog out in your own garden? I’ve got two and they can be out 3 times in one hour sometimes. I’d be tempted to tell them you’ve got a pet budgie, so could they please tell you every time they let their cat out so you can ensure your doors and windows are closed. I wouldn’t give it another thought

You should have told the cunts to fuck right off.

In your position, I'd deliberately let the dog out when you see the cat in the garden.

I have an elderly cat, and two dogs. So love both.

It is not your responsibility at all. Bonkers.

What??

These people come across at best naive and at worst stupid... they didn't realise they were buying a house next to someone with a dog?? Surely they must realise that any dogless neighbour could go out and get a dog any time... or sell to someone with a dog?