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!

Can you protect yourself by getting a cctv camera in back garden. That way if they try and bill you if their car got injured you would have proof either way.

But there is no need. Cats are not like dogs, that’s why you don’t need public liability insurance for them and you don’t have to pick up their sh*t. OP would have as much liability for it in her garden as for a hedgehog.

Actually the owner of the car could take out a civil case for recovery of any vet bills regardless of the cat wandering into their garden!

Wrong! The car’s owner can take civil action for recovery of any vets bills, regardless of the fact that the cat wandered onto their property!

If that is really the case and OP could be found liable for the vets bills then the law really is an ass.

If that were the case OP should be able to take out a civil law case against the cat for trespass on her property. That would be just as ridiculous.

I’m a cat owner, and I still think they’re being unreasonable. Their cat will learn that their territory has changed and your garden, quite rightly, now belongs to your dog.

Complete bollocks.

The dog is secured on its own property and the cat has entered that area. The dog's owner has zero responsibility to keep wandering cats safe from their dog.

If the dog entered the neighbour's garden and attacked the cat, that would be entirely different.

Why do you think this? If you are correct, why aren’t cat owners held liable for picking up their cats’ poo from other people’s gardens, or for road accidents their cat causes? Why for cats do you think owners have rights but not responsibilities?

To be honest, I can’t see my neighbours winning a civil case after reading so many comments on this thread. My dog is in my garden which is completely secure. If by some miracle my dog actually managed to catch and injure the cat (which I still don’t know if she would as so far she’s just chasing and barking) she would likely also be injured. I would counter claim for my own vet bills. The neighbours are also refusing to take steps to make any attempt at preventing the cat coming in. They refuse to make any changes in their garden and don’t even call the cat if they see it in my garden.

I originally posted here as, despite owning cats in the past, I wanted to check I want being completely out of order. I needed validation as such and knew that I would opinions here including from cat owners.

Good luck with that. Are the cat owners the owners of the neighbours garden? No is the answer. Next … Is the dog able to get out of this garden? No - The dog is secure. The cat gets injured in the neighbours garden it is the cat owner’s responsibility of care.

Absolutely. My cat (not the one I mentioned before) actually chased and attacked (a bite) my neighbours' elderly cat in their own garden . I didn't know about it until NDN turned up on my doorstep explaining that our pets don't get on and how about we organise the time they are allowed out so they're not out at the same time? Their view was, happily, "cats will be cats" and they weren't looking to recover the vets bill from me (although I immediately offered), just manage their exposure to each other. Much more sensible way of viewing the Pets Clash Situation.

You're not being unreasonable OP, it's their responsibility entirely. You've done your bit by making your garden secure,

Unless its small claims civil actions cost megabucks and yes a cat owner could do it if they felt in need of expensive amusement. I suspect that in either case, the claim would get no further that my example of the expensive watch getting mowed.

If the cat enters your property then it's the cat owner's fault. You'll do whatever is reasonable to keep your dog from attacking it, but at the end of the day you've warned the cat owner. Tell her she'll pay for injuries to your dog if she keeps threatening you to pay for her cat. Silly woman.

I love both cats and dogs BTW, just hate CFs.

This is it, I can make my garden as secure as possible so the dog doesn’t escape and it’s safe for both her and the kids. I can’t however stop animals coming in from above. Other than erecting a dome over my property I just can’t control every risk. The neighbour won’t even attempt any sort of preventative from their side so what do I do.

I’ve had both cats and dogs, I would be devastated if anything happened. However, my family and my dog should be able to enjoy the garden we own freely.

That’s totally fair OP.

OP, putting up a camera that records your own back garden, like a video bell might be handy.

Absolutely batshit suggestions that you tether your own securely kept dog, to accommodate visiting cats🙄.

If I were you I would put up a sign warning cats about the dog😁

I love cats and own cats and yanbu.

When you let your cats roam as I do it’s a risk you choose to take. If my cat gets injured by a dog that is in its own garden it is my cat’s own stupid fault! I certainly wouldn’t hold the dog owner responsible.

You are not liable for the cost of keeping their cat safe.

I did think those suggestions were a tad bizarre. The garden is the one outside place she can call her own and just enjoy freely. In the warmer months, she can have the freedom of going outside when she wants if the door is open.

YANBU. I have 2 cats and am getting a dog. They do learn to live with each other.
People saying you'd be liable if their cat was injured are being ridiculous. In the 1st instance they would need proof it was your dog that caused the injuries i.e. witnesses, CCTV. Even then highly unlikely.
Their cat, their problem. There are screens they can put in their windows and fence topper screens to keep their cat in their garden - at their own expense.
Honestly, I don't know where these people get such insane ideas about others being liable. Cloud cuckoo la la land. Well done for saving a dog's life.

They are absolutely, completely in the wrong. It is your dog’s garden,the cat will have to use somewhere else for its loo.

The neighbours said if the cat got injured they would give OP the vets bill. If cctv they could prove what happened. Dog owners are meant to have insurance. Think the neighbours would need to raise a civil case though.

Cats are classed as wild animals, dogs aren't hence there are different regulations. Also, it is not cats that cause road accidents, it is crap drivers. If a cat runs in front of your car you do NOT try to swerve around it, do what you can within the bounds of safe driving but if you run it over, hard luck on the cat, better that than killing another road user, you don't have to report it to the police, although you might want to find the owner and tell them the sad news.

I hope you laughed in their face?

The law states cats can free roam. The law states people can't cause intentional distress to animals.

You are not preventing the cat from free roaming
You are not intentionally causing injury to the cat

Your neighbours can call the council, police or High Court judge. They'll be told to keep their cat indoors if they want to prevent harm from external situations. You don't have to change your behaviour and your dog should be able to go in your/its garden at will.

I love cats, so feel sorry that the cat has lost its territory. However, it will learn to adapt and find an alternative location.

I’m a real cat lover but your neighbours are being totally unreasonable here @Miniminxymoo . The cat will learn to keep out your garden and you should not have to keep your dog in when the cat is out!