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Original poster

Neighbour showering me in poo?

84 replies

oxcat1 · 26/05/2020 17:30

Just before lockdown I moved into a new rented flat with a garden. I have two very timid cats who were kept in for the first few weeks but are now starting to explore. They never go far - they are home every 30 mins or so and can always be called back by Dreamies.

This afternoon I was reading on the garden when suddenly what seemed like mud and moss showered down on me. I realised iy was my neighbour who was digging up mud - and poo - and chucking it over the wall at me. "If your fcking cats keep fcking sitting in my garden...." "the council will fine you over £500"* etc
I tried to talk but a) I couldn't get a word in edgeways, and b) I can't even see the person as I am disabled and I can't stand to look over the wall. He just kept shouting and throwing stuff and threatening.

I don't know what to do? I don't doubt that it is annoying, but given I clear up at least one poo from the litter tray indoors every day, I don't know how to stop them occasionally pooing elsewhere? I feel afraid, and very afraid for my cats as I haven't had anybody so angry with me before. I'm shielding ( and a wheelchair user) so I can't go round and pick up any poo for him, but I would gladly take it if he leaves it by my door?

I was enjoying my beautiful new garden - the only outside world I have seen since late February - and I am now really shaken. Can he throw poo at me? Can he report me? Help!

OP posts:
Original poster
oxcat1 · 26/05/2020 17:41

I want to add, I do know how annoying it is, and I have been regularly swearing at my cats for pooing in my garden. But I don't know what to do to stop them? And I don't want to be assaulted, physically or verbally, if I go outside, and I certainly don't want mj cats hurt. I feel at such a disadvantage as I cannot even see him, let alone go round and talk.

How can I help him?

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 26/05/2020 17:43

No idea how you can help apart from keeping the cats in your house and garden. I hate the cats who crap in my garden.

LillianBland · 26/05/2020 17:50

Cat proof your garden and if he does it again, gather up all the crap he’s thrown over, stand on a ladder and chuck it back. I can understand his frustration, but what a stupid and immature thing to do, especially if there are other cats in the area.

heartsonacake · 26/05/2020 17:53

You need to cat proof your garden. If you find it annoying that your own animals shit in your garden then why you think it’s acceptable to inflict that on your neighbours is beyond me.

If you can’t successfully cat proof your garden so they can’t leave it then you don’t let them outside.

LillianBland · 26/05/2020 17:54

I’m so sorry, I just realised that I missed the bit about you being a wheelchair user. Can you pay someone to cat proof your garden. I wouldn’t trust him not to harm your cats.

sestras · 26/05/2020 17:54

He shouldn't have thrown it over you but he does have a point.

You need to cat proof your garden.

coronafiona · 26/05/2020 17:56

Apologise and offer to buy him car repellent pellets. It's worth keeping the peace

Original poster
oxcat1 · 26/05/2020 17:58

How could I cat proof the garden?

It is boxed in on three sides by a wall, and my flat is the fourth side. The cats jump on the wall and down the other side, but the wall is only ?shoulder-height (hard to tell given I'm always sitting down). I think I would have to run netting over the entire space, but that would not enable anybody to stand up?

I don't know what to do.

OP posts:
ScrapThatThen · 26/05/2020 17:59

Try to cat proof. Or have indoor cats. My neighbours cat started a daily toilet habit in my flower bed, the same one every day. It's inconvenient, insanitary and a health hazard for kids or pregnant women or anyone gardening not expecting shit. I suspect he threw it over rather than at you, but obvs that wasn't the best approach. I cat proofed my garden (although I resented the expense) and then my neighbour got the issue.

savehalloween · 26/05/2020 18:00

Check out Katzecure. That's who did ours and it's lasted for years and years. Can really recommend.

But just to answer no, he absolutely can't throw poo at you. He should have knocked on the door in a calm and collected manor and had a chat about it.

ScrapThatThen · 26/05/2020 18:00

Cross post, some spaces are hard to cat proof. Not sure.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 26/05/2020 18:00

You need to report this to the police! He assaulted you. No matter what, he can not do this.

What an asshole. Disgusting human being.

LST · 26/05/2020 18:01

It would be impossible to cat proof my garden and my cats would definitely spend their days trying to escape!

OP, Cats are allowed to roam. No one can fine you. Does he have the same issue with other animals visiting his garden? He can't be certain that the cat shit is even your cats ffs. He sounds like a completely unreasonable twat. If he'd have talked to you first I would have tried to help (got him deterrents or offered to pick it up) but after that he could sod it!

SimonJT · 26/05/2020 18:03

Your neighbours actions were horrible.

You can cat proof your garden, it’s simple and relatively cheap. There are companies that can supply/fit. I did my own in my last flat using guttering downpipes, they’re too wide and slipping for paws to grip them. I also put them on brackets that enable them to spin.

NailsNeedDoing · 26/05/2020 18:04

You need to get your garden cat proofed so your cats can’t escape. You might have to do some research into how it can be fitted in your garden, but it is your responsibility to get it done and prevent your pet upsetting someone else.

Your neighbour sounds like a loon, but tbh if you let your pet shit in his garden, he is entitled to give it back to you. Obviously he shouldn’t be aggressive, but you have to be pro active in solving the problem.

heartsonacake · 26/05/2020 18:06

How could I cat proof the garden?

Do some research. There’s lots of information online about how to do it and also companies that will do it for you.

Saying “I don’t know how” and expecting that to be a reasonable answer with no effort from you is not on.

And if you really can’t be bothered, you don’t let the cats outside.

LST · 26/05/2020 18:10

@hearts people who own cats do not need to cat proof their garden. And for cats who have roamed their whole lives would be cruel to boot. I'd offer other alternatives to a neighbour who complained, but keeping them trapped inside or in a pen would not be one of them

DomDoesWotHeWants · 26/05/2020 18:17

You need to cat proof, as others have said. Keep them in until it's done. He's right to be annoyed.

Original poster
oxcat1 · 26/05/2020 18:21

Ok. So some ideas.

I will gladly get some cat repellant pellets, as @coronafiona suggested. I couldn't have apologised earlier as he wouldn't stop shouting. I do also find it difficult as I can't see him or over the fence.

I don't actually know where he lives - all our flats are converted houses and the buildings have all been divided slightly differently so I don't quite know where he is, nor can I go round, but I will certainly apologise if I can talk without shouting.

There are old walls on three sides that do not belong to this flat, so I don't know that I can't attach any large guttering pipes into other people's walls or (in one case), trellis.

I always keep my cats in from 8pm-8am, for their own safety and the wildlife, and they have a nice indoor litter tray which they use. I am also trying to encourage them to use one particularly corner of my garden, but they haven't taken to that.

I am tempted to call the local number to discuss it with somebody, as I can then assure him that j am taking it seriously. In truth though, I want to call because I feel pretty vulnerable. I live totally alone apart from carers and I am shielding so my garden was my refuge. I am scared for my cats and scared for me, and sorry that this has upset him so much.

OP posts:
LST · 26/05/2020 18:22

@domdoes no she really doesn't

Original poster
oxcat1 · 26/05/2020 18:23

And just to reiterate, I would gladly go and pick it up, but I am in a wheelchair and would not be able to access his garden without causing more damage to his plants.

Does anybody have any cat repellant recommendations?

OP posts:
SimonJT · 26/05/2020 18:24

If the owners of walls don’t allow you/a company to put batons on, you can erect a fence within the wall and catproof that.

I would keep away from him if he was shouting, it sounds like he wouldn’t bother listening.

KingOfDogShite · 26/05/2020 18:25

If someone threw actual shit at me I’d be calling the police.

LST · 26/05/2020 18:30

@KingofDogShite snap! I certainly wouldn't be spending money on a rented property to imprison my cats.. only on mumsnet 😳🙄

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