Neighbours dogs have killed my cat. Distraught.

[MissingKittyCat]

I've name changed as this will totally out me.

On Thursday night, my darling 5 year old cat went out. she was the most timid cat, I rescued her as a kitten from an abisive household. It took her months to trust me but for the past 5 years, she has been my shadow. Scared of everything, she took huge comfort in me.

She didn't come back on Friday, I knew then that she was never coming home. I kept the faith and asked all my neighbours to keep an eye out. She had never been missing for this long. She hardly ever left the garden, if she did I knew her hiding place and she used to pop out when she heard my voice. She wasn't in the hiding spot.

Saturday morning, I started a social networking missing cat campaign. I was still half hoping she was in somebody's house (very unlikely as she was so timid) but I assed she had been hit by a car or something and just wanted to know. Tried the local vet, neighbours again. People on social networks were so helpful.

I went searching. It transpired one of our neighbours, who erected a 12ft fence lately (with spikes on top) has three dogs. Two Staffordshire bull terriers and an enormous bull mastiff. He welled up as he told me he had found my beautiful cat in his garden on Friday morning. He had taken her to the vet who were going to keep her for a few days to see if an owner enquired. She was dead. I asked if his pack of dogs had savaged her, he said not. I told him she had no chance of escape, that his fence was too high, he was visibly upset, profusely apologetic. He told me 3 times what he'd done, said he thought he was doing the right thing when he erected the fence. He took my number and said he'd get the vet to call me when they open tomorrow.

I am heartbroken. My cat was a nervous wreck, scared of her own shadow. I can't understand why she's end up in a garden with three dogs. She barely left the house, she followed me around like a lamb. I'm so upset, I feel her trauma, she must have been so frightened.

I know it's not the dogs fault but I cant help but hate them for it. I don't want to live near them anymore. My other cat (who is very old and frail) looks so lonely and keeps crying at the door for her.

It's unbelievably tragic. I'm utterly heartbroken. She wasn't just a cat, she was my friend, she was my therapy. And I miss her.

You are kidding, Planning, right?

Er....no...go on. [gulp]

OP I'm very sorry to hear about your poor cat. I would be truly devastated if anything happened to my boy.

However, I would suggest that you take some time away from MN to think about what you want from the vets. Do you really want to know what injuries your cat had? You can't forget it once you hear it and it won't change the outcome of what happened.

I don't think your neighbour had anything to hide, if he did he wouldn't have taken your cat to the vets would he? He would have just buried her and you would be none the wiser. Don't let other posters get into your head and make you over think this situation whilst you are very emotional.

Op, I'm so sorry to hear your story.
I rescued a brother and sister from the cattery 14 years ago, gorgeous ginger 2 year olds. Their owned moved house and left them behind.

It took a long long time for them to trust me, they were also timid.

My girl cat was knocked over by a car and left in the road right outside my house ( I've moved since )
I sobbed for her. Her brother missed her, I could tell.

He's now 17 and an old man, I've got many happy memories of my Lucia:) and I will never ever forget her.

I really am very sorry, I hope you find some comfort knowing that she had such a lovely life with you xx

Honestly smoking, I want to know. I'm the kind of person that has to know everything before I move on. I don't need specifics, just their opinion on how she died. Thinking about it, if I can, I'd like to see her. To say goodbye. Is that a bad idea?

I can understand the wanting to know, I guess I would just be worried that I couldn't pretend I didn't know if it was hard to hear.

What about just asking the vets really basic questions at first, like, does she have any external wounds or how quickly does the vet believe it happened? Then you can always stop if you think you have heard enough.

I'm not sure about seeing her, again maybe ask the vet if they think you would be likely to be even more distressed by seeing her body? Hopefully the neighbour has told the truth and she just looks asleep and you can say your goodbyes.

Can you ask for the vet to cremate her so you can bury her in your garden? At least then she will be home with you. In time you might find it comforting?

Missing, I am sorry to hear about your cat. We lost one when I was young, she wandered into a cowshed and got trampled by cows. We had no idea why she went in there, we had her for 8 years and she never ventured in to our knowledge before, also no idea why they trampled her. I guess animals are just unpredictable.

This thread has taken some very weird turns though.

If she was killed by dogs love, it's a terrible idea :(

I understand why you want to OP but I'd give it some careful thought first. Even without injuries they don't look 'themselves' after they're gone. I've been lucky to be able to be with most of my cats, dogs and horses when they've died, and although I'd never shirk the responsibility of staying with them the image afterwards can be like a blight on their memory during the worst of the grief.

When my last cat was hit by a car, I went for the 'cremated with other pets' option as I thought then she wouldn't be alone on her journey. This time I don't know, I wouldn't want to bury her ashes, we will be moving in a couple of years. I could scatter them where she played on the grass I suppose. oh this is hard.

MKC, you do what makes sense to you. Treat the loss of your cat as you would for any significant other. You have invested love and care in looking after her x

Oh don't scatter them/plant them if you are planning on moving. Unless you could in a house plant? Although that might be a bit odd.

Maybe just keep the ashes until you know for sure what you want to do with them? There's no rush to make a decision.

I can't believe I'm having this conversation.

She was due at a different vet tomorrow. I'm going to have to cancel that and go and talk about her remains instead. Completely, totally, heartbreakingly shit.

And now it's bedtime. I hate laying down to sleep, my mind does tricks.

I wonder if it would be worth asking for the thread to be moved to The Litter Tray, although I'm sure some posters may continue to argue pointlessly.

I'm sorry you've had to put up with some frankly unbelievable shit on here on top of a horrible experience.

Maybe you could ask to see her wrapped in a blanket, if you'd like that?

Great idea Bertie, never even thought.

A blanket could be a good idea. I want to tell her I'm sorry. That she's silly. And that I wish we could have one more furrypurryhug

I'm really sorry about your cat OP. I hope you're ok. I know it won't mean much now but, when things settle, I hope you are able to take some comfort from the love and care you gave your kitty and the life you saved her from.

Not even going to engage with the other madness on this thread. I say that as a greyhound owner. I don't feel the need to dive in and start defending dogs. It's your thread, about your cat, and I'm sorry it happened.

I'm so sorry for your loss Missing and also sorry that the thread got taken so off track.

A cat I knew and loved (owned by a relative) was also killed by a neighbour's dog, so I do really empathise with how awful this is. My relatives cat was simply sitting on her own driveway, she did try to get away but wasn't fast enough. It's just awful beyond belief and worsened by the fact you know your cat wasn't naturally due to die so soon.

Like you, when I have lost pets (in different ways) I needed to know all the details even if it didn't affect the outcome. I still needed to know the results of the tests regarding what type of cancer my dog had, even after he had unexpectedly died suddenly. For me, and possibly for you too, the details were essential for closure. I hope that the vet will be kind and compassionate, and they are also best to advise if it would be OK for you to see your lovely girl one last time.

I also lost a cat suddenly to cancer recently, we as a family did spend some time with her body and I have no regrets. We also went for an individual cremation, her ashes are in a cat shaped ornament from the crematorium. They have lots of different urns/ ornaments to choose from. It will surreal to be making these choices, I know.

So sorry again

OP, I'm very sorry about your cat. Please don't start suspecting the neighbour or foul play, it's perfectly possible a cat could climb in over a very high fence but when panicked now find their way back out. Or, my guess is she didn't go in over the top of the fence but through a small gap closer to ground level or under the fence - which of course wouldn't be a problem for anything but the smallest dogs.

I think your neighbour sounds very sensible and responsible. He has three bull breeds, which can be great pets, can occasionally be dangerous, and can scare or concern a lot of people. So he behaves responsibly out on the street walking them by keeping them away from people, and has behaved very responsibly at some considerable expense by putting high fences up to prevent them escaping and deter anyone else getting in.

If you had a problem with local kids jumping your fences and owned three bull breed dogs I imagine you live in fear of them spooking the dogs and provoking a defensive attack on your own property, which would be the worst possible scenario for all concerned. Even the softest dog will often try and guard their territory.

I'm sorry for your kitty, Missing. The height of the fence is illegal, isn't it. However, there could have been planting and trellising in the way of an escape even if the fence was lower. Take comfort in knowing that she knew comfort in her life with you. Five years of care, love, being wanted and companionship. She had a home. The end was unfortunate, but hopefully quick.

Planning, you say have ex marine and ex RUC dogs. The RUC hasn't existed since 2001, so what age could ex RUC dogs be now? After training, 16 or 17 minimum. Are you telling porkies as well as everything else?

I'm sorry for your loss OP
This isn't about cats vs dogs or fences. Owners of any animal need to be responsible. Canine, feline or whatever. I do think owners of a dog that might harm cats/ other smaller animals/ small children need to be responsible and prevent this. SOME aren't, hence rarely tragic attacks happen (that is not directed at anyone here). I would say the same to cat owners. A large 'aggressive' cat can also hurt people. Actually my DM rehomed our then middle-aged cats as she moved abroad (and my siblings and I weren't in a position to take them) a few years ago, we bought them as kittens, siblings and I were teenagers (youngest DSis about 12). New family had a toddler one Dcat was fine. The other freaked. He had just never been around small kids and couldn't deal with having tail pulled, generally being prodded and grabbed etc. He became so aggressive he was returned to DM (eventually rehomed with single man). Not toddler's fault, not cat's fault, unfair to both. Toddler could have been hurt. DCat had NEVER been aggressive before. DM and prospective new family were idiots.
Sorry for the ramble. My point is that ALL pet owners should be responsible and understand their animal.

How are you today OP?

So very sorry, missing . What a sad thing to happen. Your cat sounds lovely. I'm not sure if this is any help at the moment but I spent time with both my cats after they died (put to sleep so no injuries etc) and am glad I did spend that time with them, chatted to them etc. I also took some clippings of their fur & whiskers (the vet kindly provided scissors & a little bag) and I still have their ashes until I find the right place for them.

OP I hope you are feeling a little better today, as better as can be anyway.

I also took clippings etc of one of my kitties and held her in a blanket for a little while, stroked her etc. Im quite sure if she was in a very bad way the vet will tell you beforehand.

I dont think you are helping yourself though with emotive words like mauled, lions pit etc. It certainly doesnt sound like any of those things from what you have said and to think that way will just get your imagination running riot and wont help you at all.

This morning I felt dreadful.

Then I called the vet. There are no injuries. So relieved. I think it was quick, they think the same. Probably her heart with shock. I decided against going to see her. The vet said she wasn't in a very natural shape and because of rigor mortis, couldn't alter her. I just wNt to remember her as she was. She'll know I'm sorry, she knows I love her, she knows I will miss her forever.

They waived the cremation fee, I think they could hear my distress. She will be scattered in the crematorioum gardens. That's fine for me. I don't want her ashes, I want pictures, my memories. Id hate our other cat to wonder why his dead friend is locked in a jar in the garden/on the mantle. Kitty left her body last Thursday night. (This is purely my thoughts and needs, I understand others wanting their pets ashes)

The owner has also called me. He really is distraught. I believe him. He said his dogs were cowering when he and his wife found Kitty. He hasn't given them any treats, he's devastated, and utterly apologetic. The dogs let her body be, that shows me they are not dangerous. Maybe they were merely witness to an awful, cat induced accident? He feeds them raw mince and veg, that may well be what Kitty was after! She was a cat food snob. He wants to buy me some flowers and a condolence card to mark our loss. He is obviously an animal lover. His wife is also distraught, having had cats herself.

So that's my closure. I'm still heartbroken. Keep thinking I see her out of the corner of my eye. Miss her begging for food and affection. Miss her planting herself wherever I am. Any future cats WILL be tagged, regardless of how far they roam (she was so jumpy, I thought the procedure would kill her)

Poor KittyCat

Sounds like a very traumatic few days for you. I think you have made the right decisions and can look back with happy memories.
The dog owner sounds like he is doing his best in an awkward and unusual situation.
Thinking of you x