To tell the neighbours the cat isn’t my problem

[Miniminxymoo]

We have neighbours who own a cat. The cat is a bit of a pain in the backside and continually came in our garden. Obviously, we couldn’t stop it and it treated our garden as its own causing some damage to toys and crapping in the flower beds.

We have recently got a lab from a rescue who, as we quickly discovered, doesn’t like cats. As soon as we brought our dog home and let it in the garden it immediately chased this cat down. The dog didn’t catch the cat and is likely never going to but likes to terrify the cat. Thankfully, the cat seems to be trying its luck a little less and our garden isn’t suffering so much mess and damage. Most of the other houses have had dogs for a fair while so cat hasn’t gone into the other gardens, ours was the only one it went into because of the dogs.

The neighbours have now complained that they are worried that my dog is going to harm their cat and possibly kill it. Now, as I’ve said, the dog is likely never to catch the cat and my garden is very secure so will never escape. The neighbours have said they will charge us for any vet bills if their cat gets injured and they will complain to the council.

neighbours have also said that if the cat is in my garden then I shouldn’t let the dog out for a pee. The issue is, I often don’t see the cat before I let her out.

My dog is pretty chilled, never any bother in any other way other than when the cat comes in.

AIBU to tell the neighbours that it isn’t my problem if their cat is scared. It’s my garden and my dog’s home and if they have an issue then they’re the ones who should keep their animal in? I’ve suggested for them to put rubber spikes or similar on their fence to hopefully prevent the cat, who is a twat, coming in but they have said the expense to do that should be on me and they don’t like to do things like that!

Cats gonna cat and dogs gonna dog.

Their cat will soon learn to keep its distance and if it doesn’t, it’s as daft as its owners.

If the cat was so scared it just wouldn’t come in the garden. Our neighbor has several cats which used to use our garden as a toilet. The cats stoped coming in our garden as soon as we got our dog.

They can jog on.
So can the cat.

I'm a cat lover and own cats

This is not your problem. Your garden is your dogs garden, and your dog should be allowed there whenever it (and you) like. You shouldn't have to cater to next doors cat.

If your neighbours are worried about their cats safety in your garden, they need to figure out how to keep it away. Their cats safety is their responsibility. If they asked any cat protection charity, they'd all say to keep the cat inside of there are concerns for safety. Allowing free roaming for cats hasn't been considered responsible cat ownership for a long time.

It’s your garden. As long as it’s secure and your dog can’t escape to their garden, it’s none of your concern.

You and the neighbours need a sensible chat about the facts and the basic legal situation.

The cat is theirs. The dog is yours.

Your garden is your garden. Your dog is allowed in your garden at any time.

I'm a cat person and I love them.

But it's your garden and I don't see by any stretch of the imagination why you would have any responsibility for their cat getting hurt if your dog chases it whilst it's in your garden

I would hope sincerely the cat doesn't get hurt and I would assume the cat will learn not to come in your garden. But it's impossible for you and your dog to live your lives around what their cat choses to do.

I have a very speedy whippet who loves chasing small furries. He’s on a lead where he has to be, but let out in our garden whenever he wants. If I saw a cat I’d try to make some noise to scare it away before I release the hound, but I wouldn’t check my entire garden.

Your neighbours are being ridiculous - their cat is their responsibility.

On the other hand, I very much doubt your lab will catch it. He will eat the cat shit, though. 🤮

When the cat is scared enough, it’ll stop visiting your garden. Currently, the neighbours are more scared than the cat.

The cat will learn to get out of the way.

Your garden belongs to your dog.

i would be sympathetic but point out it’s your property and they need to find a way of keeping their cat out of your property for its own safety. At their own cost.

To mediate things a little you could say you will try and not let the dog out when the cats around but point out you don’t always see the cat (and just let the dog out anyway in the hope the cat gets the message!)

YANBU

They want you to go outside to look for their cat in your garden before you and your pet uses it? Is your dog expected to cross its legs while it waits for you to complete your sweep?

As you say the dog is unlikely to catch the cat anyway. If they’re that worried about the cat’s safety they’ll have to make it an indoor cat won’t they? Or make sure it can’t escape their own bloody garden.

I have a cat, my neighbour used to have a dog. My cat is a complete twat and used to sit on the fence and taunt the dog. Cats are very good at climbing fences and trees and the cat will have already worked out that it can outrun your dog and it probably enjoys winding the dog up. Ignore your neurotic neighbours.

I’d be tempted to get a very loud bell that you ring every time you let the dog out. Usually at 6am. Just for the cat’s benefit.

Just to add, sorry should have said this, I shoo it out if I see it as I won’t make the dog wait. Often it’s in places I just don’t see it though. I won’t go out and inspect the hiding places though and don’t feel I should have to.

Cats aren’t stupid. It’s not going to keep coming into your garden if your dog chases it. The neighbours need to be told that this is your garden, and while you’re not able to stop their cat coming in, if the cat is chased by your dog while it’s there then that’ not your responsibility.

TBH if you genuinely thought your dog might kill their cat then I would be more cautious, purely because if the dog actually killed the cat it would be horrific, for all concerned. But if the dog is just chasing the cat out of the garden then let it be.

Do bear in mind though that cats can be goady little shits, and are not beyond stalking along the fence to whip the dog into a frenzy.

I have a dog, who I know would hurt (or kill) a cat if they got the chance (ex racing greyhound)

I never let the dog i the garden without going out first and doing a cat check, as I don't think its worth potentially harming another animal.

Thankfully no cats come in my garden now (one used to but got wise to me chasing it away and also probably saw the dog from afar)

I don't think its a big ask that you check your garden before letting your dog out to prevent a possible injury to the cat

Honestly, tell them they’re barking… (terrible pun intended). Get a security camera aimed at your garden to avoid your dog being falsely accused. Just ignore their demands.

I think if their cat got injured by your dog they could take legal action even if it happened in your garden although this does seem unfair. In any case I doubt if anything will come of it as the cat will most likely stop coming into your garden

They can keep the cat out of your garden by any means they choose at their expense.
Do what you like in your own garden.

If their cat gets injured then unless they have video footage of your dog causing injuries I wouldn’t worry. They’d have to prove it was your dog & if they are that worried then they should have it insured and in any case the only way they could force you to pay is by the legal route but again they’d need unequivocal proof. Just ignore them & the cat..it will soon go away

If they were so concerned about the cat they would keep it in, what about cars and loose dogs in the street?

I’m not an expert by any means, but I’m not convinced the law would be on your side if the dog did manage to hurt or kill the cat.
If you see the cat in the garden, why not take the dog out on a lead for the 30 seconds it would take for the cat to run away and then let the dog off once the cat has gone?

I have cats who go out to roam and a dog who chases strange cats.

You’re fine, honestly. Dogs are just one of the many risks you take when you let your cats out. They’re always free to cat-proof their garden if they’re that bothered but if it wasn’t your dog, it would be someone else’s.

Our middle cat has managed to befriend the neighbours dog and they share the dogs’ food together 😂

Your neighbours are being ridiculous.
The cat is now likely to avoid the garden. We have dogs, and a neighbour with several cats. They never come in our garden.
Not a chance however that I’d be doing a full check of the garden before I let my dogs out, and my neighbours wouldn’t ask.