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

[Sherridale71]

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

We have cat proof fences put in by the previous owner and spikes. Perfectly legal and keeps the vermin out of the garden - cats and foxes.

I'm guessing you mean 4 ft high, in which case the cats will be able to see them before they jump. The spikes are not designed to hurt cats, just to make it uncomfortable to be there until they learn the fence is a no no. If people can have fences with intricate metal work with spikes or even barbed wire on their fence then these are nothing.

two spinster sisters

The point of that is?

Bloody hell, so much cat hate! I love cats but I wouldn't have concerns about the fences, cats are not stupid and know exactly where they can and can't go.

I would be more concerned about what an eyesore they were and would definitely want to know whose fence it was.

If the fence is owned by the neighbours then there is nothing you can do. If the fence is owned half neighbours/half landlady then your landlady could say something.

I’d just let it go. It’s their garden. I agree it is a bit creepy but tbh it isn’t actually a problem for your garden.

Why are you being sneery about them being spinsters? Which is an out-dated, sexist, derogatory term......like you didn't already know.

Good on them for the fence. How would you like it if random dogs came and poo'd in your garden. Bet you'd go crazy, saying it's disgusting and a hazard to your child.

Sorry i don't see the issue. You may love cats and they may not. If the cats are the reason they have put them up they will have a reason. Why would you want someone elses cat messing in your garden that you then have to pick up? You wouldn't let a dog in to someones garden to do its buisness daily and then leave it. Tell your child not to touch it although i doubt they will be able to reach it.

Did writing it down make you realise you maybe are just a little (lot) unreasonable? They are plastic, and the owners don’t want cat crap in their garden...........they most definitely are not being the unreasonable ones in this scenario. Does your child also like clambering into their garden?

I have these on my fence, they’re to stop people potentially jumping over the fence. Cats still freely come into my garden which I don’t mind, but the spikes don’t bother or hurt them at all. Your son will only touch them once before he knows not to do it again, they’re only painful if you put pressure on them

Good luck trying to delete it. I think we all know who the horrible fucker is now.

How do you know they are not pooing in someones elses garden just because they go to the loo in yours too? You asked for advice, you've been given it.

Since when have posters been able to delete a thread?
If it is no biggie for you to dig the soli every day after the cats have poohed there, then offer to do it for your neighbours.

Your really comparing spikes to stop random cats entering your garden to “homeless spikes” they are in no way comparable.

You may adore your cats but that doesn’t mean everyone else has to!

I’m sorry OP but I’m with the ‘don’t blame them’ brigade too (though the threats of violence to your cats are not on). I have young children and also have to check and clear the garden of the neighbours’ cat shit whenever we go out there too (though it still smells) not to mention the unpleasant surprises when gardening. It completely ruins our enjoyment of our garden.

Well you're a delight aren't you op!
I've got plastic spikes all along my fences to stop intruders and cats. They're perfectly legal and don't actually hurt the cats they're just not very comfortable for them.
I have no idea why they would injure your son, unless he's climbing over the fence.

There's no point digging cat crap into your soil for your plants, it's not a good fertiliser and could damage them - which is why your "spinster sister" neighbours don't want your cats in their garden...
And btw, when I was growing up in the 60s, "spinster sisters" and "bachelor brothers" was code for "gay couple".

I know this isn't AIBU, OP, but YABVVU!!

It's like your neighbours don't have the right to not have their garden defecated by you precious cats. You can't see past the end of your own nose, sadly.

I agree with PP on the use of the term spinsters - no need and irrelevant. The word neighbours is a generic term that needs no additional adjectives in this situation.

There have been no horrible fucker posts as far as I can see - people just genuinely bewildered by you thinking your neighbours are out of order. Bet you're lovely to live next door to!

*Or additional nouns!

This might be my favourite AIBU yet.

I think OPs response should get this put in classics already

So no one thinks ndn threatening to boot a kitten is pretty unpleasant?

My ex-neighbours put spikes on their fence. I contacted the RSPCA and made sure I had proof, they said if the cats were hurt then the neighbours would be responsible for costs.

I did, however, take the spikes off the fence. They were cunts and I didn't give a single fuck if they didn't like it. Years down the line they killed one of my cats. Scum of the Earth. Made their life a living hell until they moved. If I could get away with it, I'd quite happily kill them.

Thanks for the early morning chuckle OP 😂

Cheered me right up this morning.

Thanks OP.

Always funny to watch someone fly off the handle.