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!

I will protect my dog by not letting batshit neighbours have an inch. I have had personal experience of batshittery including council complaints from a neighbour (not next door, my next doors are lovely) regarding my dogs and when I stupidly tried to deal with it by limiting my dog's freedom to access MY OWN secured garden, they just got worse as bullies will. It was only when I lost it, involved the police and had a serious but helpful conversation, with the head of the Environmental Nuisance department at the council, that the harassment stopped. If it happens again I will not attempt to molify. As a side note, since then the council have changed the way they handle noise nuisance complaints and don't automatically assume that the complainant is right as they did TWICE in my case. I'd like to think that was partly due to me because when I was dealing with my own issues, every single piece of advice I could find assumed that the complaint was valid and the pet owner was in the wrong. When I was asked by the Council to review the interaction, I pointed this out, and shortly afterwards, they changed their process.

I’m usually team cat but in this instance you are not being unreasonable at all. Cats are fairly good at getting out of trouble and will get the message soon enough it’s not welcome in your garden

To my knowledge, cats are classed as wild animals when they’re out and about, whereas a dog is its owner’s responsibility- that’s why it’s an offence to stop if you run over a dog but not a cat, and why you can’t force your neighbours to do anything about cats crapping in your garden. So the neighbours can say what they like but if their pet isn’t under their control they won’t have a leg to stand on. It goes both ways- they have the benefit of not being held accountable for their cat’s behaviour but the disadvantage that it’s not legally protected if it’s allowed to roam.

If your neighbours are worried, they can cat proof their own garden to prevent Tiddles roaming the neighbourhood and getting into trouble. I’ve done this for my cats and it’s the purr-fect solution in my view, they get to explore the garden but I know they are safe. It isn’t cheap though

they can’t even get to grips with the bully ban, I don’t think anyone’s lab is in danger from a hypothetical bark or growl.

This is a really helpful summary/ analysis

I have had cats and dogs, living together in the same house. In the house the cat is always in charge, grooming the dogs etc. In the garden the dogs sometimes chase and the cats run. Barking adds to the fun. Both cats and dogs seem to understand the rules. If a cat was ever cornered, with no escape, I am confident the dog would retreat, possibly scratched. Also, although it's not impossible, labradors are not really designed to "kill". Unless it's a particularly stupid cat (like a ragdoll) it will stay out of your garden if it thinks your dog is a threat.

Just let your dog out. Your neighbour is being ridiculous.
I have 2 dogs and a cat. My dogs love my cat but they won’t tolerate another cat coming into their garden as it’s their garden and they’ve got their own cat.

I haven’t said no to every suggestion. What I have said no to is putting a lead on my dog in my own back garden and going out to inspect every cat hiding place (and there are many) before I let her out. I don’t understand why that’s such a shock to you? I have also suggested they take steps to prevent the cat coming in but they’re refusing yet they’re the ones with a problem.

my dog chases the cat in the garden, much like a lot of the dogs people have commented about on this thread!

We have dogs and a cat, and neighbours with dogs, and I wouldn't dream of suggesting my neighbours put their dog on a lead in their own, secure back garden. If my cat is dumb enough to venture into a dog’s territory, and gets chased, it’s his own daft fault.

Legally speaking, the op is not responsible for someone else's animal being killed on her property by her dog. Cats are permitted to roam but it is at their own risk. If they are on your private property and your dog gets them, you are not liable.

Just the same as if you hit it with your car, you are not required to stop and are not liable for injuries. It's an accepted risk of allowing them to roam.

I'd tell the neighbours you won't be paying for anything and if they are concerned about its safety then they need to keep it on their own property. It's their animal and their responsibility.

My dog has chased the cat in my garden, we actually only have one that comes in. The cat hasn’t ’happily’ lived alongside dogs, it just learned from a young age not to go in their gardens as the dogs were already there! The dog cannot get out of my garden, the single fence sized gate is locked at all times and we never use it and no one else can open it.

my dog doesn’t have a strong prey drive whatsoever! She chases the cat in her own bloody garden. She’s not out of control attacking every thing in sight. Judging by many comments here then there are a lot of dogs who do the same!

you seem intent on believing I have an out of control dog!

Another cat lover/owner here - I think your neighbours are being CF here. They can't expect you to prioritize their cat over your dog. They could build a catio so their cat gets fresh air safely.

Even if your dog was out of control, it’s in its OWN garden. That you pay for and maintain.

I loathe cats so I would set the dog out every time it comes into your garden. If it get injured, oh well it’s not your problem what happens in your own property.

Nice

Have you suggested that the cat just stay in their garden? They sound incredibly entitled - your garden is their cat's garden first and foremost.

Wonder if they are keen for you to keep the dog in so the cat can continue using your garden as its personal toilet and is now using their own garden? Maybe that’s why they aren’t interested in doing anything to keep said cat contained.

Jeez the entitlement of some people is astounding! Your dog can go in his own garden whenever you/he want or he needs to. The cat will soon learn to leg it quickly and ultimately (hopefully) stay away.

I’ve got several dogs and 2 cats, my neighbours have several cats, ALL of the cats know they are fair game outside despite the dogs being great with my own indoors. My dogs have had my neighbours cats acting like Garfield clinging to trees many a time … they don’t learn, they still come in my garden. Fortunately my neighbour, unlike yours, isn’t a twat.

If they truly cared about their cat, they wouldn’t be letting it get into your garden. I’ve got 3 cats. Their safety is my responsibility.

All sorts of dangers out there, that’s why I have a system that keeps my cats in our garden, they wear a special collar. It’s called Freedom Fence. Tell your neighbour!

Excellent, a system that gives your cat an electric shock!

Very caring

I say this as a cat owner, your neighbours are being ridiculous.
Chances of your dog catching the cat are slim, also, cats will defend themselves so it could be you with the vets bill.
Your dog is contained within your garden so it’s their cat that’s the issue. Cats (generally) aren’t stupid and this one will also learn that your garden is no longer dog free and keep clear

They can put a 45 degree terrace up if that are that worried a cat won't jump.