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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
TheMaddHugger · 02/06/2018 08:08

@Onceuponatimethen very first sentence. "have put sharp plastic spikes'

Onceuponatimethen · 02/06/2018 08:09

Clearly asleep today Grin

I guess we don’t know are they rigid or flexible but I imagine rigid and there is sharp and sharp iyswlm

bakingdemon · 02/06/2018 08:11

I chase cats out of my garden if I see them. I can't stand having to clear up their shit when I hate the creatures and they scare the birds away from the feeders I have. I'm on your neighbours' side here.

TheMaddHugger · 02/06/2018 08:11

I am on my 5th coffee for the day. Am in Oz, its latish afternoon here :D

FrancisCrawford · 02/06/2018 08:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WaywardOn3 · 02/06/2018 08:14

Cat owners are a strange bunch. Love their pets dearly but never have any idea where they go, what they get up to and in some unfortunate cases how they met their untimely end. I just wouldn't feel comfortable letting my dog roam if it were allowed or socially acceptable.

ProperLavs · 02/06/2018 08:14

I love cats but I'm completely siding with the spinster sisters here.

FrancisCrawford · 02/06/2018 08:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Gammeldragz · 02/06/2018 08:15

I have cats and I love them, but it didn't bother me when my neighbours did this. I'd rather that than they shoot them with water or throw stuff at them. One of mine rarely leaves the garden (she craps in ours, which is fine) but the other does like to roam and I am quite happy for people to have cat spikes, it's not cruel.

Tit4TatandAllThat · 02/06/2018 08:15

I think they put the spikes up to keep your gobby mouth out 😂

Good on your neighbours. You sound like a right arsehole when things don't go your way.

And why should we give a shit you joined 'for support' when you're wrong.

itsbritneybiatch · 02/06/2018 08:16

I have cats. My neighbour has pigeons and a dog. He asked if he could put up cat spikes to a protect his pigeons from my cats and b protect my cats from his dog. They are the little plastic spikes. Not the horrors a bit earlier in this thread. He's also put up chicken wire to stop them going in his garden. He's even backed off the back of my fence with the stuff. I'm fairly happy as it's a deterrent for burglary also.

I've let him no issue. Why should my cats go in his garden. He wouldn't hurt them but his dog might. We both realise you can't control a cat and where it goes. But let's be adults about it eh.

Is this a reverse?

FreeMantle · 02/06/2018 08:16

Both my neighbours have young cats now. They don't shit in the garden but do kill the birds and frogs that come in.
I had a lovely nest in my hedge and it's much worse physically finding a pile of feathers underneath it and bits of a frog around the garden than having an old lady threaten a kitten.

None of the garden birds visit anymore. It's all magpies, pigeons and a starling if we're lucky. Such a shame.

NanooCov · 02/06/2018 08:17

We have them on our fence beside where my sons trampoline and outdoor toys are. We put them up to stop wood pigeons landing and shitting all over fence and trampoline (which is adjacent to fence). They work on the birds. Squirrels not fussed and happily prance along them. If there's gaps the cats will not be bothered. And are smart enough to avoid. Get a grip.

wtffgs · 02/06/2018 08:19

I love my cat. She's awesome. She has a crapping area in our garden and two litter trays inside.

I'd have no issues with someone putting up cat spikes if they are designed to make it uncomfortable for the cat - rather than to hurt them. If fact, I might recommend them to my gardening friend who is not a cat-lover. I wouldn't want cat poo in my garden if I didn't own a cat.

KioraAdora · 02/06/2018 08:20

Is it your boundry?

Iknowacrackingowlsanctuary · 02/06/2018 08:21

My neighbour put some of these along her fence when she moved in. She did come round and speak to me about it first though.

I didn’t care, not up to her to have my cat in her garden. She also has a cat though and wanted to try and keep him in her garden.

The spikes can’t be very painful for cats though as my 7kg monster still hauls himself over for a visit to her garden Grin Her cat has a bit more decorum though and doesn’t climb over Blush

NotAgainYoda · 02/06/2018 08:21

In case you are still reading

I have a cat. I love cats. I think these are a great idea to deter cats. Cat crap in your garden is horrible. You may not think so, but many many people do. It stinks.

I think if it were me, I'd have just informed you that's what I was doing - just to be a bit nice (but with no legal compunction to do so).

They don't sound very bothered about upsetting you - which is, of course, upsetting to you (and saying aggressive things about your kitten doesn't cover them in glory). But from their POV your cats are an unwelcome nuisance.

And calling them spinsters doesn't cover you in glory as it's spiteful and petty.

So, in summary - six of one and half a dozen of the other

Ginorchoc · 02/06/2018 08:23

I have cats and would have no issue if neighbours put spikes up to keep the stealthy little buggers out of their garden.

Tiddlywinks63 · 02/06/2018 08:25

No wonder your neighbours have a 4 metre fence with spikes, you sound like the neighbour from hell!
I hate cats crapping in my garden too but unfortunately I don't have any fences or I'd put up spikes too.
Incidentally I'd hate to meet the cat capable of leaping that high onto a fence.

kingseat2016 · 02/06/2018 08:25

What a funny post! OPs response 😂😂😂😂

Wrcgirl · 02/06/2018 08:27

Also a vote for spikes. I detest cats, they are somehow OK to poo everywhere at danger to children and pregnant women, when dog owners are responsible (or should be) and pick up their pets poo.

londonrach · 02/06/2018 08:28

Yabvvvu op. Keep your pets within your garden. They can be a huge pest in someone elses. I say that as someone who struggled with cats poo. Can you ask your neighbour if they work. Legally depends whos fence it is..yours they cant touch it theres they can do what they want. I think you be glad they keeping your pets in your garden as at least you dont have to go around to pick up your pets poo like you should have done by now.

Dhalandchips · 02/06/2018 08:29

Digging the cat shit into the garden? Vom! Isn't cat shit full of Toxoplasmosis or something? Makes children go blind? And OP has a five year old? Oh dear!

FowlisWester · 02/06/2018 08:32

Does your landlord know you're digging filth into the garden soil btw? That's a disgusting thing to do... you are a bit confused you see. Manure comes from creatures who don't eat meat so cows/horses...its a benign substance that does improve soil as its a vegetable/ grass byproduct. Cat filth however had traces of whatever meat you feed them and therefore more risk of germs. Would you merrily dig dog or human shit into your garden? I think not and it's no different.

I wouldn't want to live next door to you as you sound like a clarty cow.

BarbaraWarpecker · 02/06/2018 08:32

Is the fence really 4m high? 4 feet maybe?
I am going to buy some of these fence strips because I am sick of cats shitting in my garden. My own DC can't enjoy their own garden until I have been out to clear up first.
One neighbour's cat used to shit every single day right outside my front door. On a warm day it would be there, stinking, to greet us or visitors, as we came or went. When I see a cat in my garden, I shoo it away loudly and my DC bark at it and show it it is unwelcome.
I spent a fortune on useless cat deterrent spray, a sonar repeller and prickly matting.
Having a cat shit in your garden is infuriating. Would you accept it if neighbours turned their dogs loose every day to poo in your garden and left you to clear it up?