A hypothetical question regarding cats and dogs

[purplemonkeydishwasher]

Neighbours behind us (who we share a fence with) have 2 cats. My dog is kept in the yard or on a lead at ALL times. The cats are allowed to roam free (as cats are) and often come into my yard.
If my dog got hold of one of them and did the unimaginable...what would happen? Obviously I'd feel bad, but really they shouldn't be in my yard.

I was just wondering today as I saw the thing strolling through the yard again. luckily the dog was inside but what if I had let him out without realizing??

I don't know where the law sits on this but as a cat owner I'd have to blame my cat for wandering into the wrong garden rather than a dog who was where it was supposed to be IYSWIM.

Kerry, how are you blueberries these days?

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If it was my cat I would accept it as part and parcel of life. Shit happens. Mind you my cats are cowardly wusses and wouldn't go near a dog - these are obviously seriously hard cats.

they are Kerry! they really are! they sit on the hut and just look at him. poor dog is demented. and we feel bad because he's barking so bring him in. poor dog.

As a cat owner, I'd say it's just a risk you take. I wouldn't expect someone to keep their dog tied up or not let them out in their own garden on account of my cat. Cats do get bitten from time to time, but there's a reason they are said to have nine lives.

My cats do go into other gardens (at their own risk) just as other cats come into my garden and run the risk of coming face to face with my border collie (puppy).

The dog cannot be held responsible for protecting their home and garden from intruders of any kind (IMO).

I'm with PaulaMummy on this one.

Cats only come into our garden when dog is shut in house, sometimes the little beggars come right up to shut patio doors and seem to tease the dog. IMO they deserve it if they get caught in our garden, although our greyhound is old and slow nowadays

I've got 2 cats, and if they were daft enough to go into a garden where a dog was then it's their own fault!

Now the people who let their dogs wander around the streets with no leads on then encourage their dog to go after the cats are another matter...>

As the law stands it is ok for a dog to kill an intruder on your property, as long as the dog is not on the leash or given any verbal or visual signal to attack.

So I think you will be ok if your dog eats a cat.

However, cats are fast so I think it is highly unlikely.

Our cat has been attacked by other cats, and our neighbours cat just had nearly £1000 of vets treatment as a result of another cat in the street, with an injury from a scuffle I wouldn't think twice about it, but if I was in the position of my neighbour (it is the 4th vet worthy incident between the cats) I would be becoming less relaxed about it.

He marched round there demanding they paid the bill, he had the door shut in his face.