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!

But equally my dog has the right to use its own garden. I’m not saying I would charge them but they also can’t expect me to pay vets bills if their cat enters my property. If it injured itself in something in the garden I also wouldn’t expect to have to pay.

Exactly! A pile of poo in the garden is easily spotted and it’s a quick job to look for. Inspecting all the places that cats go is far more arduous. I also know when my dog has been out to do her business as the door isn’t typically left open. If it is then I would check more regularly, especially if we are going to use the garden.

They sound a bit daft. We have a greyhound and cats. The greyhound will chase other cats, though she had had enough bops on the nose from our cats over the years to know they can be rather sharp if she gets too close. Though she has never wrestled with a cat on the lawn as one of my cats did the other day.

Next door they have often had lurchers who hunt rabbits and would kill a cat. My cats avoid that garden.

If your neighbours will worry about their cat's safety, the onus is on them to cat-proof their garden to keep their cat in - I don't see how they can think that's OP's responsibility?! Their cat, their problem. They can choose to contain their cat for their own peace of mind but that is their cost and effort to bear. Not anyone else's!

Nor is anyone else responsible for vet bills for their cat as they allow it free rein outside. If OP's dog got over the fence and attacked the cat in its own garden, then yes, but not when the dog is safely contained within her own property. Your neighbours ABVU.

Also, the cat will hear your back door opening, and that should be warning enough to vacate the premises in case it's the dog coming out. It might not have learned yet (some cats are not bright) but it will in time.

(I took my cat to the vets as she wasn't weight bearing on one leg. I couldn't go in with her (covid) so had to wait outside to hear what the vet thought. Her claws were scuffed and the vet's verdict was that she had been in exciting times and had no doubt had to make a very fast exit with full traction, causing muscle strain and superficial scratching. It's certainly a strong possibility that she had gone into a dog's garden and found that the resident dog had objected. That's her (and my) risk. One of those things!)

That is not true.

www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/getting-a-cat/cats-and-the-law

Obviously you can say what you like to your neighbours, but this wouldn't stand up in court. You're not going to be able to prove the cat did it unprovoked. What would be more likely to happen is that the neighbour would argue the cat did it in self defence around your dangerous dog, which could land you and your dog in hot water. As PPs have said, the cat isn't likely to be caught and will run away. But if you have a dog that you think may kill another animal, it is your responsibility to supervise it outside and work on the issue. If an elderly cat or other sick animal got into your garden, you need to make sure your dog doesn't kill it.

I was going to suggest rubber spikes. We have a young cat and our neighbour a large dog. The dog is gentle and the neighbours have trained him well (he follows commands) but it's only natural when he has seen our cat in past there has been a frantic chase which has upset our cat. The rubber spikes have deterred our cat from climbing over.

I've voted yanbu but I'd add that if I were you, I wouldn't actually say anything to the neighbours, I'd just nod and make vague hmming noises. No point in dragging this out into an argument.

Look like you're agreeing and then carry on as normal. What are they going to do?

Contact your local dog warden for advice. I have 2 sighthounds who would chase a cat in the garden (or anywhere else). Cats don't come into our garden. You could put a bell on your dog's collar as an 'early warning system' maybe?

Absolutely I totally agree with you. I wouldn’t get into a debate of words with them though. They’re being totally unreasonable. I would just say that it’s great that cats are so clever they’re allowed out on their own unlike dogs or some such twaddle. Maybe add if they’re worried about vet bills then good insurance is a must!

if they did come chasing payment for vet treatment, I would say that your dog is covered under your household insurance (it should be but you probably should check) for unlawful damage it causes (all dog owners should have this cover anyway incase their dog causes a traffic accident etc) . Then say that the insurance won’t pay out because the cat came into your property. I’m pretty sure that would be the legal situation.

Honestly I wouldn't even entertain the conversation. Probably would have replied the first time to say that obviously my dog will be in the garden whenever I damn well please and their cat is solely their responsibility. After that l, I would have curtly declined to discuss further. Cheeky, entitled arseholes. Letting their pet use your garden as a toilet and now demanding that you tailor your behaviour and that of your pets in your own home! Absolutely not. Wouldn't even be a conversation.

I’m a cat owner - it’s really not your problem. Cats aren’t stupid, it’ll soon learn not to come in your garden and will crap in its own (as mine does). Your neighbours are being entirely unreasonable. Ignore them and enjoy your new best friend.

But if you have a dog that you think may kill another animal, it is your responsibility to supervise it outside and work on the issue

My cats have killed an awful lot of mice over the years. It's what they do.

Cat owner here.
If your neighbours are worried about your dog hurting their cat, they need to keep their cat indoors.
Your dog is allowed in YOUR garden at any time you choose.

I am a cat person and have cats
However, YANBU here, at all.

Oh ignore her. Another cat owner here. Cats soon learn to stay out of the way of cat-chasing dogs. If the cat persists there's nothing anyone can do.
Your neighbour is full of herself.

Gosh, I wouldn’t likely it say it but not should they expect me to pay. As I’ve said, the dog hasn’t caught the cat. She chases it barking but no growling. She’s hasn’t shown reactiveness to anything other than the cat being in the garden.

I'm so glad I live somewhere there are dozens of cats and no-one bothers about them roamingly freely or that some gardens contain dogs.

This! A neighbour’s cat evidently enjoyed sitting on the fence and winding our dog up! You could almost hear it chortling, , ‘Ha ha, you can’t get me!’

I have a cat and a dog, as others have said, if the cat was that scared it just wouldn’t come in, cats aren’t stupid and it sounds like this one can outrun the dog no issues. Your neighbours are being ridiculous.

The neighbours cat isn’t your problem. You have a dog and your dog is in your garden. Your garden does not belong to your neighbours.

I'm having a similar issue.

No neighbour complaints.

My springer spaniel verus the neighbours cat, only the cat is an adorable tabby and very smart, she is under a year and walks along the wall for a rub, while my dog is having a fit.

I'm hoping they can be friends.

I also have a visiting heron every morning, he is huge, arrives for some chicken at 6am.

Your dog most likely won't catch the cat.

My dog is a house dog. If I'm letting her outside, I will knock on back door to alert the cat.

Your dog is a Lab. To use a good Northern expression, they’re all mouth and no trousers. A Jack Russell, however, might kill a cat.

Or you can preempt it now but checking with your household insurance and advising neighbour they won’t pay out if cat is injured in your garden so they need to get medical pet insurance if they’re worried about the costs of letting their cat roam.

They are being ridiculous. It’s your garden. They cannot expect to claim rights to your garden over you. If you have a patio door that you might leave open when the weather warms up I expect the cat will learn to be more wary then. If your dog catches the cat I think it might kill it. My friend’s dog caught a squirrel once and it was over in seconds I’m afraid 😢