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!

this. Cats are classed as vermin. Not your problem. Neighbour needs to provide a litter tray and toys, not expect your garden to provide. If you have children, give them water guns to discourage it too

Not really, you don't need a solicitor to do civil cases not in the UK. Would be small claims court. Doesn't cost much at all.

Yes, very much working on recall. Currently only let her off lead in a secure field which we rent by the hour whilst we train. She’s doing really well bless her, helped by the fact she enjoys her treats! Won’t let her off lead elsewhere until I’m fully confident with recall and even then I won’t do it everywhere. As you say, it’s a different matter in the garden as that is her own space, her own territory.

Eh? Vermin? They're in the same class as dogs in law, considered as chatel or property.
Both probably love their pets so lets be a bit more sensitive, comments like this are unhelpful.

And when did I say she has ever killed an animal? There are numerous comments here from dog owners that their dogs chase cats in the garden too. Did they say they had ever killed an animal?

nope. cats are not classed as vermin. They are classed as property.

I was trying to advise around the law. Your OP mentions your neighbours concern that your dog could kill the cat. Surely you see people with no control over their dogs daily, doesn't mean they are good dog owners or wouldn't be on the wrong side of the law if their dog caused harm. Lots of people believe 'I can do what I like on my own property' but it isn't true.

you could TRY to get vet fees or the purchase price of the cat but I am betting you wouldn't get far if the cat was off your property when the incident occurred.

the Dangerous Dog's Act does not cover animals which enter your properly secured property. The only animals specifically mentioned in it are assistance animals.

As I've said in my other post, harming animals can be used as evidence of the dogs character if the neighbour then goes on to complain that the dog hurt or scared her.

I am simply saying that if you know your dog has a tendency to chase animals, and you know your neighbour hates the dog, then it would be sensible to supervise the dog whilst it is outside.

My dog goes out, has a wee/poo on the grass, a bit of a sniff then she lays down in the sun.

The neighbours cats come in, wee/scent up all my plants and garden structures, scratch at them, bury their poo in my pots / borders, stalk and try to catch the birds and occasionally the squirrels. One destroyed half my daughter's fairy garden because a field mouse ran through it.

Well behaved dogs do minimal damage to a garden.

It would be extremely hard for someone to say my dog is ‘out of control’ if it manages to catch a cat in its own garden to be honest. Especially with no other evidence nor history the dog has ever done it before to anything other than said cat.

I edited my other post before you replied so I'll add it here.

I am simply saying that if you know your dog has a tendency to chase animals, and you know your neighbour hates the dog, then it would be sensible to supervise the dog whilst it is outside.

IME if a cat or anything else gives a Lab a snack they will be followed round all day!!!

I meant no offense - It is just a legal definition that confers a right to roam. Basically you cannot expect a cat to stay where it is put and it will follow comfortable space/ food and the opposite gender just as hedgehogs and rats for example. Nor can you expect it not to poo where it pleases (dig your borders over at your peril. You cannot harm it, but you can put out deterrents though.

Your neighbours have got a bloody cheek asking you to check your garden for their nuisance pet before letting your own pet out. They're nuts if they think that's reasonable. Let your dog out whenever you like.

Your dog absolutely will not catch the cat by the way. Might be just about plausible if you had a sight hound but a Labrador isn't going to catch a cat. Also, the cat will probably stop coming in once it realises it will get chased every time.

🤣🤣🤣🤣

There are no legal consequences to a dog killing someone else's cat on your own property.

It's a moot point, though, because the dog isn't ever going to catch the cat anyway.

My point is, batshit neighbours can go to great lengths when they get a bee in their bonnet. The sensible thing to do is to protect yourself and your dog by being as responsible as possible. If the dog is supervised whilst it is out, and hopefully one day trained to tolerate cats, the neighbour isn't likely going to be able to access the dog and make false claims.

Yes, cats have the right to roam but responsibility to ensure the welfare of the cat remains with the owner. The owner has to take reasonable steps to make sure her cat is safe, not you.
A single dog is very rarely going to catch and kill a cat who can jump and climb.
I do have a lot of time for cats but their owners are often completely useless.

The cat’s owner is completely out of order! Why would they want to get to the point of risking their pet getting injured or killed in the first place? They need to take preventative measures to ensure their cat is safe, not expect you to do all the leg work. What would happen if the cat made into your house on a sunny day when the windows are open? It’s not just the garden that’s the issue.

I would make it very clear to them that you expect them to keep their cat out of your garden going forward. I would also cat proof your garden as much as possible and chase the thing out with water spray etc until it got the message that it’s not welcome.

😂I'd like to see the dog that could own a cat!

You don't need to put your dog on a lead in your own garden or spend time shooing their cat out.
The cat will learn.
Ignore the neighbours.

I'd write back and say
"Obviously i do shoo the cat away if I see it, however your cat is trespassing in my garden and therefore I do not accept liability for any vet bills if your cat is injured whilst in my garden".

Im absolutely the same, i had dogs as well and I'd be absolutely devastated, the owner didn't even care, they just left their front door open and let it roam whenever it wanted. It was a massive aggressive big dog.