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!

There is no legal definition of the word "vermin" in UK law. Note the whole answer.....which lists some animals generally considered "vermin" Cats are not included. https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200203/ldhansrd/vo031008/text/31008w02.htm

actually no.......the neighbour then might have an argument that the OP saw the incident and did nothing to stop it and its hard to see what action the OP could take if, while supervising her dog in her own secured garden, a cat entered it.

Fair enough.
i just looked up the law. It does look like you can sue a dog owner if they kill your cat, but you have to prove negligence, which would presumably be difficult in someone else’s garden, although elsewhere should be possible?
Would there be an argument just on the basis of someone possessing an aggressive animal and not mitigating that?

Ah first answer nailed it!

I’m team cat in life but in this case neighbours are unreasonable. If they’re worried for their cat they need to get insurance. Just like if there’s a train track / road nearby and cat crosses and gets injured the train company / driver isn’t liable just cos the cats gonna cat!

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It's a reel about cat and dog neighbours 😆

YANBU a labrador prob won't he able to catch a cat.

However, be very careful about what you allow/teach your dog to do. My security conscious neighbour used to reward her dog for patrolling her boundaries and woofing at foxes, squirrels etc. The damn thing then didn't stop barking, including at us when we were using our garden.

So you think OP should make sure she turns a blind eye to her dog incase anything happens?

If supervising OP can hopefully prevent anything from happening. If you have a dog you cannot trust yet, or a neighbour you cannot trust, the sensible thing to do is supervise the dog when outside.

In your own properly secured garden? I also believe it would be a stretch to go from "prey instinct" which is normal in dogs AND cats, to aggression. Civil actions (suing) are open to pretty much anyone about anything and as I said earlier, you might get vets fees or the price of the cat back but in the dog owner's properly secured garden? Not a hope in hell.

A few years ago I had an issue with a neighbours cat who liked prowling up and down the top of the fence and sitting on top of my nesting box for the birds.

I cut some long lengths of bramble and wound it along the top where the cat was walking. It wasn't the prettiest thing but it was free, natural and the cat didn't like the thorns so stopped doing it.
Worth having a look to see if similar might work on the top of your fence, I think you mentioned a trellis so a few zip ties might attach them. But just because it must be annoying to have the dog barking.
The neighbours can get lost.

Absolutely ridiculous post. OP has categorically stated her dog does not chase other animals. It barks at the cat in the garden. It’s her garden, the dog does not need supervising the whole time it’s out there.

If you’re going to post ‘general’ comments, then don’t aim them at the OP when they don’t apply to her.

If supervising OP can hopefully prevent anything from happening. If you have a dog you cannot trust yet, or a neighbour you cannot trust, the sensible thing to do is supervise the dog when outside.

She can trust the dog to chase cats. She mitigates this by having a garden dog cannot escape from, and by not introducing cats to that garden.

Did you even read the op? 🤔 Neighbours have said they are going to report to the council.

But it can't, even hopefully, prevent anything happening. What would prevent damage to that cat by that dog in that garden is for the CAT OWNER to prevent the cat from entering that garden. Do you not get it that dogs and cats have prey instincts and the law accepts this. Cat owners are not required to prevent their cats killing birds and other animals and dog owners are not required to protect cats from their dog in their own properly secured garden. As I said its the other side of the cats' right to roam.

THIS and I live alone with my cat.

for what?

Read the op 🤦🏻‍♀️
Obviously neighbours are stupid. I was answering a comment made by someone who also has not read the op. 🤷🏻‍♀️

This wasn't general advice. The OP knows her dog chases cats. And the cat has lived happily beside other dogs according to the OP. The neighbour clearly hates the dog and could do many things to 'prove' her unsupervised dog is dangerous or uncontainable if she leaves it unsupervised eg opening a gate, throwing something at it before recording it, letting it out then kicking it.

I've had dogs before, any that cannot be trusted (an example would be a strong prey drive) are supervised.

Yes that’s what I mean - presumably would be difficult to justify negligence in dog owners own garden. Should be possible elsewhere though . People shouldn’t be allowing aggressive dogs to roam. I’m not sure killing a cat is a “prey instinct”? I would consider that an unusually aggressive dog.

Still ridiculous advice to OP. Her dog doesn’t chase animals as you state. And you’re wildly speculating here on what the neighbour might do, it’s silly.

Isn't it sensible to risk assess situations?

😂😂😂 in her own secured garden, her well behaved dog is allowed to play. No risk assessment needed.

Your neighbour sound bat shit - I never check my own garden to see if any body else’s cats are in it why would I? If they want their cat to roam its a choice they have to make…or cat proof their garden to keep it safe!

I have both dogs & cats…

My dogs have incredibly high prey drive and would probably chase and kill a cat if they could…I don’t trust them with my cats in house and next doors have finally learnt it not in their best interest to come into our garden.

And I don’t have little cats they are big…small dog size

But a cat is seen as property, if op's dog damages that property then op is open to having a claim made against them for civil liability. That's the flip side of having the right to own a dog, in that you're responsible for its actions.

if Ddog sees a cat she goes nuts at the kitchen door. I always ensure the cat has had a head start but i would let her out. I thought that was standard.

Clearly my definition of 'well behaved dogs' and 'prey drive' are different to some others on here. I'm not surprised.

Jesus, I hope not.