Psycho Bengal bullying my cats

[Bibbittybobbittyboo]

Recently moved into a new estate which is lovely and quiet and very safe for my two cats.

At least it was until someone who moved into the street acquired a Bengal. This cat is STUNNING however it is the most horrible cat I’ve ever encountered (I’ve had cats 20+ years)

It started with the Bengal preying on my little tabby and a couple of viscous attacks which ended with my cat having to get a wound stapled. Now, I don’t allow my cats out unless I’m at home so that I can intervene if there’s a fight.

At least that was the plan until I tried to chase the Bengal away one day (not mid fight but in preying mode) and it attacked ME instead!

We approached the owner but and the owner admitted she didn’t know what to do about the cat and it’s behaviour and offered no solution

This has went on for a while now but the Bengal is clearly looking for a fight to the point that it climbed into an open window the other night and attacked one of my cats.

We approached the owner (again) and she was pretty disinterested. We did say that if it came in again then we would take the matter into our own hands (God knows what we would do though)

Do any of you lovely people have any advice?

I know if it was a dog, particularity if it attacked a person) then it would probably be a police matter but is there anything that can be done with a cat?

We’re now restricting when our cats go out and keeping all windows and doors closed but it’s not ideal.

I’m also concerned that if it can attack an adult, it won’t think twice about attacking my 4YO.

Thanks so much for all your responses - I think the problem lies (as I suspect in a lot of cases) with the owner. She can’t handle his behaviour and therefore he’s out wandering more and more so has less and less interaction with people.

The cat is honestly one of the most beautiful cats I’ve ever seen (but then I’ve always had old rescue cats) but it’s left to roam rain, hail or shine. I’m genuinely curious, when does a cat attacking someone become a police matter? My attack by the was caught on my CCTV but the owner said nothing.

I’d cat proof my garden but my cats are both long in the tooth and love their wee night time strolls, the whole point of moving here was because I thought it would be good for us all

Am I within my rights to escalate this if it attacks mine (or someone else’s) child?
T
I really dislike the fact that I actually hate this cat now - I couldn’t knowing hurt any living creature (I walk around ants!) but my instinct as a protective mum and owner are being tested.

I have the same problem with a neighbour’s cat. I got a rescue cat last year and ever since, bully-cat sits on the wall outside the kitchen door and waits for mine to come out to beat her up. She has been quite badly injured. She stayed in for the first six months we had her as she was too afraid to go out. Twice recently bully-cat has come into the house during the night ( windows open because of the hot weather) and she has attacked mine INSIDE our house. To make matters worse, the owners have moved away and Instead of taking bully-cat with them, have left her with a neighbour. I’m at my wit’s end.

OP it wouldn’t be a police matter but it absolutely could be something you see a solicitor about. Do you have photographs of any damage it has caused? I think the CCTV is a bloody good idea. If you could get evidence that this cat was causing injuries to your cats and yourself you could claim for vets bills, personal injury etc. That would most likely see your neighbour offload her cat and you’d be free of it.

You wont be able to claim for anything. It's not a dog, You will line the solicitors pockets though.

The cats most likely a soft pudding who likes tummy fuss at home. No ones going to keep a cat who attacks them.

I cant claim against next doors cat injuring mine and make them pay my £50 vets bill for a bite wound. I saw the fight and broke it up, but their not liable for his behaviour.

We have a Bengal cat in our road. It attacks dogs and chases cars. It also gets in houses and gardens. It messes all over the gardens and doesn't dig it over!

No suggestions just I sympathize

Sadly this is why you will find many bengals in rescue, why anyone thought it a good idea to outcross to the Asian Leopard cat and expect the result to be family pets is beyond me!

My daughter is desperate for one of these cats but I'm put off by many bad experiences with Bengals, tbh.

V late to this thread, but to anyone thinking of getting a Bengal: please do your research. We have reared 3 different Bengals. They require lots of attention and don't like to be ignored or left alone for too long.
They are territorial. They have big claws & paws. Lots of gentle, calm handling and boundary setting when they are kittens is crucial. No scrappy play with hands or they'll rip you to shreds! If they learn that fight or flight quick response they can grow into unpredictable and aggressive adults.
They do mature and calm down.
Ours (neutered male aged 8) is very calm & gentle with my DC, in part because we taught them to behave appropriately so he has never felt he had anything to fear from them.
When they had friends over I was horrified to find a 6 year old he didn't know had picked him up and was holding him under the tummy very awkwardly. Instead of scratching her he hung there miserably, waiting to be put down again and for dignity to be restored.
Like all cats each one is different.

Get a supersoaker, keep it full. The second you see the cat on or approaching your property, soak him. He'll learn to keep away from you.

Honestly, I would get (or borrow) dog. My parents had this problem with their cats that are a small Siamese mix and next door's grey Tom kept beating them up. They introduced a very maternal Belgium Shepherd who promptly took both kitties under her wing and chased off the intruder. TBH, you don't need a really big dog - just one that is assertive enough to keep the garden clear.

If it come on your property

Get it in a cat carrier
Put the carrier in a cold shower for 5 mins.
Release the wet cat outside.
Do this every time.

My vet suggested this and it worked

It might be worth trying something like this. Despite having a Bengal we put this in our back garden to ward off an aggressive, un-neutered male who is causing trouble - no only to our cat. It is beating up/harassing a middle aged female who lives next door but one. Amazingly he hasn't been in our garden since. I know it doesn't look real but from a distance it seems to do the trick.

Agree super soaker and water pistol type solutions are a good idea too.

Despite being a cat (and Bengal) owner and lover I have to say a raised voice/shout and clapping hands might not do any harm either...It needs to know there are negative consequences to is behaviour and that it's not welcome.

Bizarrely, making as if to scoop it up while wearing a big pair of yellow rubber gloves might work. I found this out by accident when I picked mine up while wearing a pair and now he just runs when I put them on and approach. I think it may have something to do with not liking the feel on the coat or the texture or sound.

my DH (who has never hurt an animal in his life) is seriously thinking about taking matters into his own hands as he considers (as I do) our cats to be our other children

What do you mean by that OP? I hope you aren’t insinuating your ‘D’H is going to harm or hurt this cat in any way.

The only way you can keep your cats safe is to build them a catio or cat proof your garden. I have some sympathy (although it’s limited if you’re genuinely contemplating hurting this cat, which btw would be a criminal offence before we even begin on the sadistic and moral implications) as these bengals are often completely unsuitable for the homes that take them on. They’re like middle class Staffordshire bull terriers. Victims of their own popularity. Often the owners completely underestimate how much dedication these cats require and end up with a behavioural nightmare like your neighbours cat.

@AngelsAckiz

I hope to god that was a sick joke By the way, you aren’t completely anonymous online and you’ve just admitted a criminal offence has taken place.

CatchingBabies - agreed. Bengals are just not city cats. They're the feline equivalent of Malamutes etc - they look great, but have specific needs that very few people can meet. Instead, the majority of owners get one as they think it looks nice, then express surprise when it attacks other animals living on its doorstep.

PutYerClawsAway Those are some great tips - thak you.

These bengals are often completely unsuitable for the homes that take them on. They’re like middle class Staffordshire bull terriers

LOL at the Staffie comparison. I'm afraid this is often true (except in DH and my case of course, ahem).

Bengal cats should be illegal.

Breeders are selling them and people have no idea of the problems they cause for domesticated cats. I have had my windows open for 7 years for my cats & now I have to keep my cats locked in and cannot open any of my windows. I cant have any fresh air in my home at all. Why should our domesticated cats all become prisoners because the laws about cats are ill thought out.

The bengal in my street is going to kill a cat. Thats the bottom line and nothing is going to stop that from happening. He came into my window to kill my cat three times now. Not to show my cat who is boss. To kill him.

ZOMBIE THREAD FROM 5 YEARS AGO

You haven't met ours! He's a total softie. But I looked long and hard for a very good breeder and had to wait a while for him. I think there are a lot of poorly bred bengals out there.