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Original poster

Neighbours have put cat spikes along fence - what are my rights?

274 replies

Sherridale71 · 02/06/2018 06:19

My next door neighbours, two spinster sisters, have put sharp plastic spikes intermittently along the fence surrounding their back garden. The spikes are in strips of about 5cm long and they’ve placed them on either side of the concrete posts holding the fence up with big gaps in between. The fence separating our gardens is about 4m high.
I’m so angry about this that I haven’t been able to approach them to find out why they’ve done it although I’m pretty sure it’s to deter cats from going into their garden (I’ve read that they can also be a pigeon deterrent). We have two beautiful cats so I’m disgusted about this and worried that they’re going to injure themselves. We live in a neighbourhood that has many cats roaming around so they’re a danger to them as well.
My neighbours have made comments in the past about cats “crapping in the garden” and also told me last year that if they saw my new kitten in their garden they would “boot it”.
I’ve phoned citizens’ advice but they said I’d need to contact my landlady to determine who owns the border of the garden and said I’d need to speak to a solicitor as they can’t give legal advice...the internet is coming up with all sorts of confusing information.
Does anyone know what my rights are before I go and speak to them about it? My 5 year old son could easily hurt himself on them.
TIA

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
rwalker · 02/06/2018 06:32

how unreasonable not wanting YOUR cats to shit all over there garden

Ifailed · 02/06/2018 06:33

how could your 5 year old possibly hurt himself with plastic spikes on top of a 4 metre fence?

LittleMissCantbebothered · 02/06/2018 06:33

How will your son hurt himself on the spikes if they are 4m high??

The spikes are perfectly legal, you can freely buy them on amazon and various hardware stores. I wouldn't want cats shitting in my garden either.

Your cats will soon learn not to go near the fences. If they have threatened to harm your cats then surely you want them to be deterred from going into their garden?

Celticdawn5 · 02/06/2018 06:33

I doubt there is anything you can do if it’s not your fence.
If there are gaps between the spikes your cats will probably still be able to negotiate the fence ,speaking as a long time cat owner...
I would also doubt the fence is 4 metres high as you say .thats huge.

clarrylove · 02/06/2018 06:34

If the fence is 4m high, how will your son hurt himself on the spikes?

drearydeardre · 02/06/2018 06:34

as the fence is 4 m high I doubt your 5 yo would be able to reach.

ilovewinterpansies · 02/06/2018 06:36

I thought the height limit for fences is 2m?

somewhereovertherain · 02/06/2018 06:37

Well done your neighbours. Fuckng hate cats.

Bluelonerose · 02/06/2018 06:38

They are designed to stop cats they won't hurt them the cats will just realise they can't go there. My neighbour at the bottom has them and they don't bother my cats at all.

Although great idea for stopping ndn dc from hanging on the fence Grin

Gaspodethetalkingdog · 02/06/2018 06:38

You see these a lot, to deter cats, pigeons etc, they are legal. I don’t want people’s cats in my garden they kill wildlife so I throw things at them if I am out gardening.

Cats in my opinion should be kept in a caged run in the garden, not allowed to roam, they are more likely to get run over than hurt themselves on the spikes.

Aus84 · 02/06/2018 06:40

I can't stand cats roaming. We often get 'presents' (dead birds, lizards etc) left in our yard that my DS always finds before I do. And the fighting at night is driving us crazy. You might think your cats are beautiful but I can guarantee you not everyone does. If you want to keep a pet, keep it contained in your house/yard.

nandaandm · 02/06/2018 06:42

I might look into getting some myself. There are about 3 cats who are constantly in my garden and I hate them. Off to google cat spikes

PotteringAlong · 02/06/2018 06:44

As long as it’s not your fence it’s not an issue.

HoppingPavlova · 02/06/2018 06:44

YABVU. They don’t want all the neighbourhood cats (including yours) shitting all over their garden. So they have put up a deterrent that is freely available in a lot of retail outlets - it’s not a restricted product like assault rifles or tasers. I don’t understand the problem or your outrage. Hopefully it stops your cats going in to their garden and crapping in it!

BrutusMcDogface · 02/06/2018 06:47

I don't think your fence is 4m high Hmm

I also don't blame your neighbours for trying to stop your beautiful cats crapping in their garden! The local cats here absolutely love my front garden and constantly crap in it and it drives me fucking insane. It's disgusting, smelly and dangerous.

RhubarbAndMustard · 02/06/2018 06:49

I didn't know these existed, so am off to buy some too. I am so fed up of cleaning up stinking cat mess from the garden before my young children can go out in it. I didn't want a pet, so why should I clean up after someone else's.

differentnameforthis · 02/06/2018 06:51

The fences are 4m high, how could your 5yr old get that high?

CaitlynsCat · 02/06/2018 06:53

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Slanetylor · 02/06/2018 06:53

Your poor “spinster” neighbours living somewhere that has many cats roaming free.
I don’t believe this. Is this a reverse? If it’s a real thread, you really do need to step back and take another look at the situation. Are you more upset because they are spinsters and therefore should love lots of neighbourhood cats crapping in their lawn?

speakout · 02/06/2018 06:53

Wow you have a 13 foot fence- that's high.

Your son must have a talent to get that high.

Cats are pretty savvy- they know how to negotiate all sorts of obstacles- thorny bushes etc.

They will still find a way.

NotARegularPenguin · 02/06/2018 06:54

If it’s your fence/your landladys fence they’re not allowed to do it. If it’s their fence they can.

WorldWideWanderer · 02/06/2018 06:54

I can't see what your problem is. The neighbours don't want your cats shitting in their garden - why should they have to put up with it? The spikes will keep cats out (although they need to be continuous, if there is a gap the cats will get through) and your cats will stay away. Your kitten won't get 'booted' so it will be safer. Your son just needs to be told not to touch the spikes....why would he be on the fence anyway??

Spikes are a great idea and if I was bothered by your cats in my garden, I'd be putting them up too. Doesn't hurt anyone and solves a problem, and is not illegal....

MadisonAvenue · 02/06/2018 06:56

4m? Are you sure? Also, I don't blame them. Cats are a nuisance.

gingerfoxcub · 02/06/2018 06:58

I have them on top of my cat enclosure and fence to stop the horrible non native birds from sitting on top of it and crapping everywhere. They won't hurt your cat or child, they break fairly easily with weight, but they aren't pretty. Its better than bird poo everywhere though.

speakout · 02/06/2018 06:59

I own cats btw, I have a toilet area for my cats in my garden- an area of bare earth mixed with gravel which I clean and turn over regularly.
My cats like to be able to dig when they crap, so this area suits them.
It;s the first place they head for when I let them out, and seem to use that as their preferred spot. So hopefully keeps down mess in my neighbours garden.
Having said that of my only two neighbours close by one has a dog, and my garden back onto a large expanse of woodland- so my cats head out there to entertain themselves.