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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Original poster

To want to throttle neighbour's cat and neighbour!!

239 replies

Helpme20 · 05/08/2021 14:24

My neighbour's cat spends her days on our cars. It has now left scratches on both our brand new cars - more mine than DH. I saw neighbour yesterday and mentioned about the cars and she just went 'oh naughty Simba'..and did a little laugh and walked off.
AIBU to say to her that she either keeps her cat away from my car or she can pay to sort out the scratched.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Soubriquet · 05/08/2021 14:30

How sharp is those cats claws?

Do you secretly have wolverine living next door?

Original poster
Helpme20 · 05/08/2021 14:32

Well sharp enough to scratch my car - even the next door neighbour commented on the scratches on the bonnet. Neighbour didnt dispute the fact that it could be her cat but in fact laughed about it.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 05/08/2021 14:34

Well, yes she should be offering to pay but she probably won’t and will insist it can’t her Simba.

Fandangoes · 05/08/2021 14:34

cats are a law unto themselves I'm not sure exactly what you expect your neighbour to do?

Chibbles · 05/08/2021 14:35

How do you think the neighbour could keep them off?

Original poster
Helpme20 · 05/08/2021 14:35

@Soubriquet you are probably right - i may have to spray some car scarrer thing on the cars to scare them away (if there is such a thing)..off to google!!

OP posts:
Saidtoomuch · 05/08/2021 14:36

Get a quote for repair and present it to her, ask if she wants to go though her pet insurance. She'll soon have Simba's claws trimmed!

gamerchick · 05/08/2021 14:37

I'd probably get covers so the cat isn't attracted to the heat while you mull.

A pain I know.

I'd also have a bucket of water nearby to chuck over cat each time I saw it so it gives you a wide swerve.

Original poster
Helpme20 · 05/08/2021 14:37

@Fandangoes @Chibbles - so are you saying it is ok for cats to damage other people's things that costs tens of thousands of pounds? Surely there must be something they can do. I am not a cat owner so i have no idea - how about cutting their nails? or keeping her cat in her house!

OP posts:
Original poster
Helpme20 · 05/08/2021 14:38

@Saidtoomuch

Get a quote for repair and present it to her, ask if she wants to go though her pet insurance. She'll soon have Simba's claws trimmed!
Thanks - sounds like a good idea. Should also wipe that smile off her face :-)
OP posts:
Original poster
Helpme20 · 05/08/2021 14:38

@gamerchick

I'd probably get covers so the cat isn't attracted to the heat while you mull.

A pain I know.

I'd also have a bucket of water nearby to chuck over cat each time I saw it so it gives you a wide swerve.

Thanks - am on it!!!
OP posts:
inmyslippers · 05/08/2021 14:45

I'm a cat lover but damaging property is a no from me. Send her a bill

Original poster
Helpme20 · 05/08/2021 14:51

ok - so I have asked DH to go on our camera so we are sure that it is Simba, and not a fox or whatnot. It is very clear that Simba enjoys having a lie down on our cars. Mine is more visible as it is daytona grey where as DH is white. So am thinking of popping over in a minute and telling her that we have requested a mobile mechanic to come have a look and we will be sending her the quote. I would not be so pissed but they are brand new 2021 cars.

OP posts:
Chibbles · 05/08/2021 14:51

Legally cats have "freedom to roam" in the uk. I don't think you'd have any legal recourse.

And you can't just keep an outdoor cat indoors.

You're probably best off getting some kind of deterrent to put on the car.

LimitIsUp · 05/08/2021 14:51

Cats - just what is the point of them!
Turn the hosepipe on them op

Anordinarymum · 05/08/2021 14:51

Cats are a law unto themselves. It's not your neighbours fault. They do as they please.

Get a water pistol and squirt the cat when it is on the cars. It will soon stop.
Inform your neighbour why you are doing this and if she objects, then you can tell her you want the damage paying for.
If she sees her cat on your car and does nothing then squirt her as well :)

NotaCoolMum · 05/08/2021 14:52

[quote Helpme20]**@Fandangoes* @Chibbles* - so are you saying it is ok for cats to damage other people's things that costs tens of thousands of pounds? Surely there must be something they can do. I am not a cat owner so i have no idea - how about cutting their nails? or keeping her cat in her house![/quote]
“Tens of thousands of pounds”…. A tad dramatic

Original poster
Helpme20 · 05/08/2021 14:55

@NotaCoolMum You think a 2021 plate car costing tens of thousands of pounds a tad dramatic? I'd love to know where you get your cars :-)

OP posts:
Nat6999 · 05/08/2021 14:56

My dad blasted cats off his car bonnet with the hosepipe, only had to do it a couple of times & they never came back. Either do that or tell the owner you will be billing her for a respray.

Original poster
Helpme20 · 05/08/2021 14:56

@LimitIsUp

Cats - just what is the point of them! Turn the hosepipe on them op
Loving this idea
OP posts:
Original poster
Helpme20 · 05/08/2021 14:57

Think I will go with the hosepipe/water pistol/buckets of water idea! sounds fun as well

OP posts:
OnceUponARainbow · 05/08/2021 14:58

I’ve not known a cat to visibly scratch cars but not saying it can’t happen - would expect lots of cars to have this issue if so, but not heard of it before. I would ask owner to cut claws and also throw water at cat, it will soon get message not to hang out there.

Fancymice · 05/08/2021 14:59

I think get a cover for the car, as it sounds unlikely she will want to keep the cat inside because of this.

Surely the scratches are quite superficial? Tbh of you want to keep the car pristine you need to keep it under a cover or in a garage. You can't spend loads on a car, leave it parked outside then get pissed off when wear and tear happens.

Saidtoomuch · 05/08/2021 14:59

Just because cats are free roaming animals, it does not mean that their owners are not liable for any damage they cause. This is partly why responsible owners have insurance.

SixesAndEights · 05/08/2021 14:59

If your cars cost that much money surely you'd be putting covers on them as soon as the problem started.

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