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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

My dog attacked the neighbours cat

133 replies

SappyStaffyMum · 28/02/2025 21:50

Hi! I'm a bit stuck here and wondering if someone could or advise if this is actually legal!

My dog attacked the neighbours cat, they rushed it to the vet and thankfully it was ok just had an injection, metacam and a few days on house rest..

Obviously I paid the bill as I felt awful! But today the police came as she has reported my dog as dangerous and the police said they had to attend because she said it's an xl bully (he's a staffy lab cross) and she needs the crime reference for the insurance claim?

If I've paid her for the vets bill can she still do an insurance claim?

I'm a bit upset about it as I'm 17 weeks pregnant and obviously I could do with the money rather than her profiting from this horrible situation especially after attempting to get my dog seized and destroyed… and now sending me abusive texts about how he’s had the taste of blood and will attack my baby…

OP posts:
Soontobe60 · 28/02/2025 21:51

Where did this attack take place?

Overthebow · 28/02/2025 21:52

How did your dog manage to attack your neighbors cat? Was it in your garden?

Dolambslikemintsauce · 28/02/2025 21:53

Just block her and let the police deal with it. Unless your ddog was loose in the street you have nothing to answer for...

Yellowcircle90 · 28/02/2025 21:54

Do you really want that dog around a newborn?

Sportacus17 · 28/02/2025 21:55

Yellowcircle90 · 28/02/2025 21:54

Do you really want that dog around a newborn?

My thoughts exactly.

NotTheDebtDoctorWithTheHungryScalpel · 28/02/2025 21:56

I think you're focused in the wrong problem.

Your main problem is the dangerous dog you're going to have around your baby.

Overthebow · 28/02/2025 21:57

Yellowcircle90 · 28/02/2025 21:54

Do you really want that dog around a newborn?

This. You can’t have the baby in the same house as this dog.

VivaVivaa · 28/02/2025 21:57

What were the circumstances of your dog attacking the cat?

She doesn’t need to be so dramatic describing a taste for blood…but I would be extremely worried about this dog being around a crawling baby or a marauding toddler.

Honeyroar · 28/02/2025 21:57

That sounds really strange. You sound like you did everything you could to do the right thing in a bad situation. Where was the attack? It’s quite natural for a dog to chase a cat unfortunately. What did the police say? Did you say you’d already paid, so why was she claiming? Did you see a vets bill? Id be contacting the vet to ask whether the bill was paid.

helplessnesshopelessness · 28/02/2025 21:58

Was her cat in your house/garden?

BellissimoGecko · 28/02/2025 21:58

Where was the cat when you dog attacked it?

themaskedcat · 28/02/2025 21:59

Did you pay the whole vet bill? As even if she went via insurance there would still be an excess to pay.

Original poster
SappyStaffyMum · 28/02/2025 22:02

It was in my garden, the cat ran and my boy chased, he shook her and then released

OP posts:
helplessnesshopelessness · 28/02/2025 22:03

Yellowcircle90 · 28/02/2025 21:54

Do you really want that dog around a newborn?

I think that's a bit much. Lots of dogs don't like cats especially if they've never lived with or been probably introduced to them
Lots of dogs probably don't like newborns either unless they've been properly introduced.
It's possible that the cat was in the dogs space (house/garden) and attacked him first

verycloakanddaggers · 28/02/2025 22:06

I don't think you've committed a crime, what have the police said? I would want to check this 'crime reference' with a solicitor.

Pinkissmart · 28/02/2025 22:11

The cat was in your garden, and your dog gave chase, shook and released?
You’ve done enough by paying for their vet bill ( which was absolutely right).

This is a risk when people let cats out. Dogs are still dogs and many will still have a prey/ chase drive and still want to protect their territory.
It doesn’t mean your dog is going to turn on your child.

I’ve had both cats and dogs- I love both. I have one cat that goes out ( former rescue who will not stay in). As much as I would hate for anything to happen to her, I accept that she is at risk when she goes out.

Your neighbours are bonkers.

grumpypedestrian · 28/02/2025 22:17

The cat was on your property, it’s a sad truth of owning a cat when you let it wander. The same is true if it got hit by a car.

You’ve done the right thing by paying vet bills, I’ve known staffies and they are soft, soppy dogs.

Original poster
SappyStaffyMum · 28/02/2025 22:17

He’s very good with my my friends children, my family, little cousins but no, he doesn’t have experience with cats..

she showed me the bill and said she paid it on a credit card so I gave her the money straight away because I really do feel bad, I would be distraught if something happened to my dog.

i did tell the police I gave her the money for the vets bill.

OP posts:
Hyperbowl · 28/02/2025 22:22

grumpypedestrian · 28/02/2025 22:17

The cat was on your property, it’s a sad truth of owning a cat when you let it wander. The same is true if it got hit by a car.

You’ve done the right thing by paying vet bills, I’ve known staffies and they are soft, soppy dogs.

Actually a cat is considered property and has free to roam status in the UK so unlike being hit by a car if it’s attacked by a dog the owner can be prosecuted for treatment and ongoing related vet bills even though it was on dog owners property.

OP, no matter what way you want to dress it up this dog is not fit to be around you baby as it’s caused an attack. You need to re-home him before your baby arrives.

Whaleandsnail6 · 28/02/2025 22:24

For all the posters saying the dog cant be around humans now, I disagree.

My dog would attack a cat (greyhound) but my children, friends children and family children have been around her from being young (never unsupervised) and she has never shown any form of aggression towards a human.

A dog can not be trusted around other animals but can be fine with kids.

I have to ensure the neighbours cats are not in the garden before I let her out

Op, I think you have done all you can for now. Let your neighbour deal with insurance but dont get dragged into any more communication with her. You have taken responsibility and apologised,nothing more you can do for now.

She may be able to get money from your insurance but let them deal with that...I think my insurance pays some damages/legal fees if my dog was to cause injury or damage to a third party, can't remember the exact details but sure its in there somewhere

Ebeneser · 28/02/2025 22:28

SappyStaffyMum · 28/02/2025 22:02

It was in my garden, the cat ran and my boy chased, he shook her and then released

I wouldn't have paid the vets bill personally if it was in my garden. They let their cat roam things like this happen.

freepend · 28/02/2025 22:31

Yes I agree, if the cat was in your garden then it seems harsh to punish you. Regardless of the breed surely?

Honeyroar · 28/02/2025 22:31

I wouldn’t be worried about the dog around the baby, it’s a totally different situation. And obviously you’re not going to just dump the baby and leave it unattended with the dog. You’ll always be with the baby and get them used to each other over time.

GreenPinkYellowOrange · 28/02/2025 22:31

You're a nicer person than me OP, no way would I be paying their vet bill if the cat was in my garden.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 28/02/2025 22:32

If the cat was on your property than you had no obligation to pay. My friend’s cat was killed in a similar way and no action was taken. The neighbours can swivel. Though, the dog has attacked, I would be very cautious around a baby now. What a stressful situation for you.