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!

We have cats, the neighbours have a terrier. The cat very much isn't your problem. They may tease the dog, which you won't be able to stop, but if they get into the garden that's on them, not you. A sensible cat wouldn't risk it.

Ha ha. Presumably they also asked you not to go out in your car in case their cat happened to be out and you might kill it by running over it?

I had a problem with a neighbor and her cat always use to come in my house and it was the height of summer so doors and windows would be open it got to the point you would think the cat was mine. anyway she came knocking on my door wanting her cat back happily gave her it back and she told me to keep my doors and windows shut so her cat doesn't come in I told her to jog on its the height of summer and my kids want to play in there garden. she wasn't happy and I never seen the cat out again she made it stay in. I would just tell your neighbor to get a grip and if your dog is out then its on there cat if it comes in.

I had a similar problem with my neighbour. They own the fence along their side, and let it deteriorate to ruins and refused to mend it, so we put our own fence in front of it, and a massive hedge because I have a dog and I don’t want him getting out.

Neighbours have a rabbit, and a small dog. They both can walk through neighbours rubble of a fence and crawl under a few gaps where the ground is uneven and get into my garden.

My dog can be let out all day in my garden as it is 360 degree surrounded by fence, wall, hedge and big thick high gate.

I’ve looked out a few times and seen neighbours bunny rabbit happily munching on my lawn, but luckily my dog was inside.

I’ve told my neighbour that she needs to stop her rabbit, and dog, coming into my garden as I can’t be sure my dog won’t kill the rabbit. He’s an alpha male dog.

Her response to me was that I should keep my dog in, as she’s not prepared to hutch her rabbit or fix her fence. All she needs to do is put something to block the gaps her side.

My response to her was that I’ve given her warning as to what could happen, I’m not keeping my dog in, and it’s on her.

“This is my dog’s home, and he will continue to use our garden daily. If you are concerned about your cat being injured whilst in my garden and requiring vet treatment, I suggest you either keep him within your property, or invest in some pet insurance.”

Yes, absolutely this.

I have cats and love cats. They have freedom to roam, because their lives are much more fun that way than if I kept them indoors all the time.

But this means accepting the risk that they will go somewhere where there's a dog (or a car, or a fox, etc etc...) and be injured if they're dumb enough or unlucky enough. It's the price you pay for their quality of life, and cats, in practice, are actually pretty clever and fast.

OP's dog is far from the only danger this cat will be exposed to. The cat owners are accepting a whole range of risks by letting it roam.

Stop trying to shoo the cat out, let the dog enjoy its own space. Cat owner has the choice of keeping the cat in or accepting the reality of life as a cat owner. If they talk about claiming money again, point out the fact that for ?years their cat has been digging up your garden and plants and you’ve never raised it as an issue with them because you accept that whilst you don’t like it, this is what animals do if they’re allowed to roam.

I’m a dog and a cat owner.

I agree with all the posters who say that its down to the cat owner to keep their cat safe. I should warn you OP, that twice, my dogs have been attacked by a cat in my garden and both times the wounds got infected. You might like to mention this to the cat owner that if their cat attacks your dog in your garden then you will be after THEM for vets bills.

As pp says, you’ve been paying for a messed up garden, and ruined toys. I’d tell your neighbour that if that is her attitude then you’ll be sending her an itemised invoice of the costs her cat has racked up, along with your bank details.

You can’t train natural behaviours out of dogs. There is no way to stop my whippet chasing after small furry creatures that run. He’s never caught anything beyond a couple of fat pheasants, but thinking I can change him would be foolish.

That’s why we avoid close proximity with cats when out and about. On the rare occasion we’ve come across a cat when he’s off lead, we immediately put him back on.

But if a cat enters his garden, and I’m not around to bring the dog in, the cat better be quick.

My fucking batshit neighbour said this to one of my other neighbours who basically told them to fuck off. Politely though. Long story with the batshit neighbour but she's basically a right pain in the arse.
Cats learn quickly and if neighbour's cat was that bothered it would stop going in the bloody garden but no, it keeps going in and hanging around and winding up the dog.
If the neighbours are that concerned they can keep their cat in or cat proof their garden so it can't go in your garden.
Not your problem.

We have a retired greyhound. He and his predecessor have had scratches from cats (one leading to infection and needing antibiotics from the vet). You would have neither civil or criminal liability if a cat was injured etc in your garden (or anywhere else except the cat’s own garden, for that matter). Cat’s claws and mouths are notoriously full of bacteria. I’d be telling the neighbours in your scenario that if their cat scratches your lab in your garden and you need to go to the vet, they’ll be paying the vet’s fees.

They’re not even willing to try anything their side to prevent the cat coming in. I know it’s likely not possible to stop the cat but they won’t entertain the thought of trying anything on their fence to stop such easy access. They don’t even try and call it in when they’re fully aware it’s in our garden (such as when they’re outside).

The idea that another person can prescribe what you can do in your own garden is ridiculous.

I say that as a person who owns cats who roam. Cats are very adept at learning hazards and threats and avoid areas where they are uncomfortable. If they are scared of the dog they will avoid. If they aren’t avoiding then they are still sizing the dog up. If the dog hurts them then that’s their stupidity honestly. That has got nothing to do with you!

either they keep the cats in or they accept that there are dangers in the wider world. No court would ever rule that a neighbour was responsible for something their dogs did to a trespassing animal in their own garden. Outside of the home it may be a different story.

Yeah, well in that case it's on them if anything happens to the cat. Just as if the cat gets run over on the main road. If you let cats out then there are all kinds of hazards and you have to accept the risk or they have to stay inside.
Mine are indoor cats.

Honestly, I wouldn't give it another thought. If they bring it up again just keep saying it's on them to keep their cat out of your garden if they are concerned about the dog and you will continue to let your dog out into the garden as and when you please.

Good description of most labradors! I agree risk of him actually hurting the cat is low.

@Miniminxymoo the thing I would say is in your interests not to let your dog chase the cat as if he gets too close a good swipe from a cat could result in a bad scratch that can actually do some damage. My sisters young daft spaniel got scratched on the eye by the family cat because he kept bouncing about & chasing her (just trying to play) and she just got fed up one day. It got infected and cost a fortune in vet bills and it's a miracle he didn't lose his sight in it.

Your neighbours are being daft about you being liable for vet bills but in the interests if it not getting unpleasant I'd just say you'll do you best to check the garden first. You don't actually have to, though as I say, is worth your while to ensure dog is safe as well.

Don't forget to practise a 'like-for-like' policy when their cat craps in your garden. Doggie poo bag optional.

They sound deranged! We have always had dogs, and all 3 have at different times chased cats .It's what they do FFS.I doubt the Council will do anything except roll their eyes ,and shuffle the complaint towards the bin. Honestly some people .My dog is so good natured but hates cats!

To be fair not many cats respond to being called.

I would keep a water spray bottle by your back door to teach the cat not to come in your garden if you see it on the fence. That's how we kept our cats off the new sofas.

In our garden, the cats often just appear out of the hedge. They're also often chilling under a tree that I can't see from the back door.

When I let my dog out, into our garden, you would think it reasonable that I firstly shut the dog in the house, walk from the door round the corner, check under all the hedges and trees and behind any plants, then walk back and let my dog out for a wee? First wee of the day at 530/6am? In all weathers, before work and while also wrangling my 3 year old (who likes to be up at stupid o clock)?

Or, is the responsibility for the neighbours cat not being in my garden where there's a dog actually on the neighbour? Who owns said cat?

I don't want my dog to hurt a cat and I don't think she actually would. But it's not on me to check that other people's pets aren't on my property before I let my dog out to go to the loo.

Cat hasn’t previously cared about being squirted. We tried before we got the dog as I was tired of all the crap in the garden. It’s a bolshy cat that’s for sure!

She sounds like a complete twit....why on earth wouldn't she secure her garden. I'd be tempted to take her rabbit to a rescue next time it appears in my garden.

I’m a dog and a cat owner.

I misconstrued this for a second - and thought what an amazingly clever dog to be using MN

My dog will chase cats but my garden is small enough that I could see if there is one in the garden. They tend to skirt the garden walking along the fence - if dog sees them from the window he barks and they tend to get to the next garden sharpish.

I wouldn’t let dog out if a cat was in the garden - mainly because he’d probably come off worse in a fight!- but I wouldn’t check first if I were you. Cats are pretty quick so I’m sure it would get out of the garden as soon as it hears the door open!

This is it, when she’s visiting for the loo, other than a quick visual scan, I’m not going to go hunting in all the places the cat like to prowl.