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!!

You are not bu. We have a pyracantha and both ours and next doors cats quire happily navigate round it. As for your dog, if the cat is there when you let it out the car will soon scat. Fuck the neighbours.

ive not read all the replies, but im gonna guess they are very similar to mine (and by the way i am owned by 2 cats whom i would probably die for).. i'd tell the neighbour to 'jog on'.

cats are not stupid, they will be chased by your dog once or twice and do 1 of 2 things. it'll be a twat and sit on the fence and torment your dog all day or it will opt for a less entertaining option of finding a new route round your garden.

you can no more train a cat than you can a pigeon or any other untrainable animal! im afraid i wouldn't wish harm on anyones cat and i wouldnt encourage anyone to go out of their way to harm one, it its in your garden.. its fair game to your dog

I love animals and I get bored with all the cat bashing threads on here. However this is ridiculous. You allow your cat to roam, you accept the risks...whether that be cars, dogs or spiky plants!

Yanbu OP, but I would add that I always scan my garden briefly for the neighbours cats before letting my dogs out purely because that's a situation I wouldn't want to deal with.

The poor birds in that woodland.

Our cats always come indoors to poo (too lazy to dig in the garden).

Ask them to explore car fencing by protectapet keeps the cat in the garden I have it and it s great.

Who the hell voted YBU?? They are CF! Cat belongs to them their problem!

If they called any animal welfare organisation and starting bleating about safety and welfare for their cat, they'd be told to keep the cat indoors or get an outdoor enclosure with access via the house.

I had terriers, and a dog flap in the back door. The dogs went in and out whenever they liked. Any cats bold enough to venture into my garden would bolt the minute they heard the dog flap. No way would I have gone on cat patrol before letting the dogs out.

If the NDNs are worried about their cat being in your garden, they need to fit some of that cat-enclosing fencing in their garden to keep it in. They're cheeky fuckers.

We have 2 cats and we've had cats for decades. Cats are adaptable and your neighbour's cat will find it's way to the woods if it wants to. It is not your responsibility to look out for their cat at the expense of your dog or home.

It is bizarre that they would expect you to!

On our close there are only a couple of dogs, mine included. There are plenty of cats. My dog enjoys being on cat watch and will run outside joyfully if she catches sight of one. It’s her garden, enter at your peril. It’s what dogs do. Your neighbour is batshit.

Asking you to remove your shrub is actually beyond batshit.

Just tell them you are getting 3 more dogs!

Oh my days. This is exactly what is wrong with some people. Entitled, self absorbed, stupid.... I could go on. YANBU at all. I'd buy another dog.

They didn’t know they were moving next to people who have a dog and you didn’t know you were moving next to people who are total wankers. They are mental.

We have a bonkers neighbour on one side of us who has very similar, incredibly entitled requests. I just nod and smile when she comes round and say something very non-committal. I then do nothing. You can’t really argue with someone who is that unreasonable. My strategy doesn’t totally work but I can’t think of anything better. It is also fairly low stress as it is unconfrontational.

Im a huge cat lover… but this is absolutely bonkers. I can appreciate a quick glance of your garden before letting your dog out, but cats are quick and I’d really not be happy to do it if I were you.

They’re nuts. I’d absolutely be going all out with the Pyracanthas down their side too.

And I’m a full on cat lady!

The amount of lost cats I see posted on all my local FB groups means I’m worried everytime my cat heads out the cat flap. If they are worried about the road they should cat proof their garden. We have foxes near us as there is a tiny bit of woodland and I worry about my cat as she will fight foxes as she thinks she’s a lion.

YANBU
I've seen my dog with a cat. The cat is boss 🤣 I leave my back door latched for my pup to come in and out as he pleases 99% of the time I'm home.
Plenty of people put plants up to specifically discourage cats- they cannot expect other people to change their plants to accommodate their cat: bonkers.
I would feel bad saying no to so many requests too (even though all 3 are unreasonable asks to begin with). I find it useful to switch the person you are in the situation. Would you have asked those questions of a neighbour? I might've asked for the WiFi BUT I would've offered to pay towards it and said if my usage was too much to let me know and I'd stop but most mobiles these days would suffice (I see your area is not great for coverage so can understand asking but without offering £ that is cf behaviour). Maybe tell them where the library is for their Ibternet needs?
You could suggest they make their cat wear a bell so your dog knows where she is. Put it back on them.

Horsemadmum2328 - I think she'd rather not get involved at all with the neighbours 😂

Their sense of entitlement is strong - and utterly breathtaking. Good for you for standing your ground and putting them in their place from day 1, nicely done.
But buckle up because I expect there's more to come - always is with people that harbour unreasonable expectations.

Your neighbours are nuts, we often get cats in our garden, we have a terrier and they seem to love annoying him! As soon as we let him out they jump up onto the fence and just stare at him while he barks his head off , he’s never even come close to catching one!

White pepper along your fence lines. Top of fence too if you can. Effective & safe way of repelling cats. I think your neighbours sound very entitled. I would personally take absolutely no notice of them & get on with your life as normal!

I always check my garden for cats before letting my dog out not because my neighbours have asked but because I feel it's the right thing to do as I know he goes after cats and will hurt one if he catches one. As for the plant you shouldn't move it if they don't want your dog to be near the cat then they shouldn't be trying to encourage the cat to go through your garden.

Don’t feel bad… I have two cats and also two dogs. When you have cats that roam outside (as I do) you never know where they may go… are they going to speak to everyone with a mile radius?!