AIBU to be annoyed neighbour put spikes on the fence?

[SunnyLuny]

We’ve lived in this house for nearly 5 years. At first neighbour was very welcoming and friendly. She’s an older lady (late 60s?) who lives on her own. She used to be lovely to our children. The past 3 years though shes just completely changed. She stopped talking to us, actively avoids us and blanks us. If we smile and say hello when we see her she looks down and pretends we aren’t speaking to her. It’s so bizarre. The only thing that has changed is we got a cat. He is an outdoor cat and admittedly probably does go into her garden.

Today she’s been hammering spikes into the fence! No warning or conversation. Infact whenever we go outside she runs into her greenhouse to hide until we go back in! I think this is so passive aggressive and I’m actually upset that she seems to think she can’t even approach us. We’ve always been friendly. She’s never spoken to us about the cat bothering her. I probably wouldn’t be bothered about the spikes if she had told us beforehand or said she had an issue with the cat. DP thinks I should go speak to her and just ask what’s going on but my parents think I should just ignore it. Aibu if I say something?

Agree.

Some people are ignorant of the concept of a rhetorical question.

It’s not about what people “have to do” though, we don’t live in a court room.

It’s about what’s normal and reasonable behaviour. Getting a cat isn’t contentious. Families typically like having pets, it’s normal and they certainly don’t need to be asking permission.

Getting spikes on shared fences is different. It can harm all kinds on animals and wildlife. It’s offensive for both neighbours and it’s unusual practice. Probably less than 1% of neighbours get spikes on fences due to cats in the neighbourhood.

As it’s extreme, you’d have expected neighbour to have raised an issue beforehand. Whether it’s the cat entering her garden or property, pooing constantly, annoying her own pets, whatever it is. Going silent for 3 years and then putting spikes on is abnormal and rude.

Can you really not see this?

I’m more than aware of the concept. But it doesn’t apply when you’re comparing apples with pears.

Less cruel than what cars do to birds, or to the neighbours having to deal with the cat shit? No, just you anthropomorphising 🙄

Humans are becoming increasingly and bizarrely obsessed with trying to control outdoor space.

Imho no. Most people do what they always did. Growing things in their garden.
What has increased is number of cats in my area for example over the years. It's fine if there is one, maybe 2 around, occasional poop or minimal damage. But there are so many now that should your garden become popular or disputed land, you easily end up with 4,5 cats shitting there. That is quite a lot.
And you still have rats😒

You don’t understand what that word means clearly. Your eye-rolling doesn’t change my mind or the fact that cats are let out. You’ll just have to put up with it thankfully.

Why doesn’t anyone seem to be aware of cat fences? They have nice versions available for purchase, some that you can connect to the top of an existing fence. But, our neighbor made their own out of PVC pipe and deer fencing. They’re straight vertical posts that then bend in toward your yard at the top. The inward angle makes it so the cats can’t climb or jump over the top, and they don’t even like trying to climb them because they’re wobbly. Our neighbor’s cats used to roam, but haven’t left the yard since they installed it. Much safer for the kitty than spikes.

In our case, our walls/fences are too short for these.

Our neighbour has 7 cats. One of their cats and/or another local cat clearly has "tummy issues" so that's always nice to smell/clean up. Plus various unneutered males causing havoc. These cats have all destroyed my garden. Next door just say "they don't shit in our garden" whilst happily growing loads of veg. Meanwhile I have given up growing anything.

FYI I have a cat. She's an indoors cat. Many reasons but predominantly her own safety from the other cats (that terrify her) or from humans (there are regular reports of poisoning or lamping for dog fights). She seems quite happy.

Have you seen the price of these ? Also, what if neighbours don't want them attached to their or shared posts, that would mean having more posts in one's garden, even more cost.

If she’s adding the spikes to a fence you’re responsible for maintaining (ie the side on your deeds which is ‘yours’) then you can remove them. If it’s on ‘her’ fence then you can’t do anything about it.

I think it’s illegal to put spikes along the top of your fence. If anyone or an animal gets injured, even if they’re trespassing, the person or owner of the animal could sue you!

I think I might get some to deter the squirrels, they run across the road and along our fence each morning to eat our flower buds, last year one picked the immature peaches of the peach tree nibbled them and chucked them on the ground.

Apparently it’s not illegal to put them on the fence if they’re of a certain kind, but if they cause harm( which they’re on designed to do) then you can be sued!
Other deterrents are preferable.

Cat owner. Mine goes at home - I’m the designated litter tray cleaner - and occasionally in the garden, and I hates cleaning it but I chose to get a cat. Your neighbour didn’t, and while she didn’t speak to you about the issue, there is very little you can do about cats using your garden as a toilet except put up cat proofing.