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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

My neighbour's dog killed our lovely cat.

81 replies

manyhands · 24/07/2012 22:08

Well the title says it all. They called the police as we said they had a dangerous dog. They said the dog jumped over a six foot wall ( a greyhound) and escaped and well it's a hunting dog anyway! Needless to say the kids are heartbroken. Is there anyone else I should report the incident too.

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manyhands · 25/07/2012 08:08

Thank you everyone. TBH I don't believe the dog jumped six foot as we back onto fields I think they just let it out for a run.

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seeker · 25/07/2012 08:16

"The neighbours are probably mortified and can't face you OP. Have they got DC's? Is this dog a child's pet? Do you really really want this dog to be killed? Please think about this hard before you report them to anyone."

And how about the op's children? The cat was their pet too. And how about other people's cats? Or little dogs? I wonder if people would be taking this more seriously if it had been a little dog the greyhound had killed.

Fluffycloudland77 · 25/07/2012 09:21

That's awful op, I'm so sorry.

Your poor cat.

peanutMD · 25/07/2012 09:29

We had to have my mums cat put to sleep last month as he wad lying in the bushes in the garden and the neighbors spaniel pounced on him and broke his spine and caused major internal issues :(

My 17yo brother heard the dog and went outside to find the owner shooting to the dog "just leave out and come on!" Then when my brother picked up the cat she said "oh is it dead?, stupid mutt" and walked back inside

When they got to the vet and explained to then they said as it was a neighbouring garden then unfortunately it would be treated as a natural instance in terms of the law.

Shit I know but that's just the way it works unfortunately.

kitsonkittykat · 25/07/2012 09:44

I fucking hate dogs. You poor thing. I am so so sorry to hear about your cat. I hope you get the outcome you want.

manyhands · 25/07/2012 10:06

The dog wardens are going to investigate it but the neighbours seem to have a similar attitude to the dog owner Peanut MD talked about. It was on our drive though so we may have legal redress, I just want to see the dog muzzled when it's outside.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 25/07/2012 13:53

Dogs dont have a legal right to roam like cats, I cant imagine a greyhound jumping that high either.

I have seen border collies get over 6' fences though, next doors boxer dog cant get over the waist high fence.

Have you ever seen the dog jump the fence?

OlympicTeaDrinker · 25/07/2012 14:03

My neighbours dog isn't a greyhound (he's some sort of lab/collie mix from dogs trust) however he has jumped a 6 foot fence because he was left alone in the garden (he has abandonment issues).

I think with sheer determination a tall enough dog could jump a 6 foot fence.

Personally for a dog that size I would have a taller fence. I think it is the responsibility as a dog owner not to let them be able to catch any animal.

RedwingS · 25/07/2012 21:26

I'm so sorry to hear this. Poor cat.

Some dogs can jump a 6ft fence. If it did that, they'll need to put something on top that bends back inwards as well as going up, or install coyote rollers (I think that's what they're called).

Losing a pet is awful. Take care of yourself, OP.

manyhands · 26/07/2012 07:22

Unbelievably there was a pet greyhound wandering around the street without it's owner late last night.

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GobblersKnob · 26/07/2012 07:46

So sorry about your cat op

My whippet which is obviously a similar build but considerably smaller, could easily scale a 6 ft fence, he can cleanly jump 5 ft and can climb trees and what appear to be sheer rock faces, sight hounds tend to be extraordinarily athletic dogs.

Just because a dog responds to a hunting instinct and would kill a small animal does not make it dangerous to adults or children in any way.

I would talk to your neighbours and amke sure they have plans in place to make their garden escape proof, no dog should ever be allowed out on it's own, I find where you said about you 'think they let it out for a run' very worrying.

seeker · 26/07/2012 12:37

"Just because a dog responds to a hunting instinct and would kill a small animal does not make it dangerous to adults or children in any way."

So that's all right then? If it kills somebody else's pet that 's just nature's way?

I would love to see the dog apologists tying themselves in knots trying to make this all right if it had been a small dog rather than a cat that had been killed.

GobblersKnob · 26/07/2012 14:23

No, in no way did I say it was okay. I just said that dogs following hunting instincts doesn't mean they are aggressive to people.

I used to walk with a lady who had her Yorkshire Terrier killed by a Greyhound that had managed to slip it's lead on a park, it was a terrible tragedy, but animals behave instinctively. I keep rats and if one of next doors cats managed to get in my house while the rats were free ranging, they would try and catch them and if they did they would kill them. I would be deeply upset but I wouldn't blame the cat.

D0oinMeCleanin · 26/07/2012 14:30

Greyhounds can jump that high, fairly easily, it's just often they're far too lazy to explore the other side of their fence.

Unfortunately it is the nature of most hound types dogs to chase small furries and greyhounds are fast enough to catch them. It doesn't mean the dog is dangerous, most greyhounds are very gentle dogs.

I am terrible sorry about your cat, but really I don't think there will be any one formal who'd be interested in taking this further. You could try the dog warden who would hopefully have a word with them about securing their fence better.

Did it happen in your garden or the field?

strawberrypenguin · 26/07/2012 14:31

:( so sorry about your cat OP. I hope your neighbours become more responsible dog owners now that they don't seem to care

ClaimedByMe · 26/07/2012 14:33

There was a local case similar to yours here OP and the dog got put to sleep, sorry about your cat, I would be devastated if anything happened to my cats x

redrubyshoes · 26/07/2012 14:33

My neighbour has a greyhound which is always muzzled because it's owner knows it will instinctively chase after a cat.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 26/07/2012 14:36

But cats are different to dogs and seen differntly in the eyes of the law. As far as I know a cat's owner is not responsible for it's actions in the same way a dog is.

To put it callously, the properly of your neighbours has destroyed your property (property into which you have made quite a significant financial investment) , and is quite likely to destroy the property of others too.

The fact that this attack happened on your land is also relevant as they clearly did not have their dog under control. It would have been different if your cat had gone into their garden.

Toughasoldboots · 26/07/2012 14:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

manyhands · 26/07/2012 15:56

Well the dog warden has spoken to him and he will recieve a £75 fine every time the dog is off the lead in the street.

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Olympicnmix · 26/07/2012 16:08

At least his name is known to the dog warden now in case of, god-forbid, any further incidents. I know it doesn't remove your upset though.

How are the children doing?
Do you still think the dog lept the fence or do you think the dog was off lead and not muzzled?

manyhands · 26/07/2012 19:47

I think the dog was off lead and not muzzled. The kids are really missing the cat, we've chosen and put a deposit on a kitten which will be an indoor cat. I think he'll keep it on a lead now because we will report and photograph the dog every time he doesn't which will cost him a fortune as he'll get a fine every time. Still no apology.

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Olympicnmix · 26/07/2012 20:01

Aw, a kitten will be lovely, full of mischief!

Can't believe the neighbour hasn't said sorry. Don't suppose your dcs are like mine? Baleful looks and pointing out other people's misdemeanors loudly a speciality - might make the tosspot feel guilty. Hope in the interest of protecting other small furries that your street knows to be wary of the dog if it's ever unmuzzled

MissBetseyTrotwood · 26/07/2012 20:25

I'm so sorry about your cat. I hope your DCs are recovering.

A cat killed our guinea pigs last year and it was awful. It is 'nature's way' that some animals go for each other but it's our job as responsible pet owners to prevent it from happening whenever and however we can.

Our rescue greyhound is muzzled all the time when he's off on a run. If the muzzle's not there, he's not off the lead. He's gentle and affectionate with people but has a very high prey drive. Most greys don't mind the muzzle either, as most that are pets are ex racers who've trained with one on nearly every day of their lives. To muzzle him shouldn't be a big surprise to his owner, nor a big deal for the dog.

I hope you get a decent apology soon.

manyhands · 26/07/2012 20:25

I've not told them which neighbour it is as it would only remind them every time they saw him. They would certainly say something if they knew.

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