Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The litter tray

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

Original poster

Neighbour's vicious cat

72 replies

wednamenov · 15/09/2023 16:45

I'm a cat lover. Totally cat daft. I have two of my own and never thought I'd ever meet a cat I didn't like. But the unimaginable has happened.

My neighbour has a Bengal cat who is free to roam. We live in a rural area so he has a great time in the fields. My cats are also free to roam and are living their best life, until the Bengal appears in our garden.

He is unbelievably vicious.

He attacks both my cats. He had my girl-cat corned last night and only backed off when DH ran out. She came in terrorised and hid growling and mewing under a chair for ages. We can't see injuries but she won't let us anywhere near her to check properly, and today is still not herself. So we're taking her to the vet tomorrow, just in case (no car today).

When he pursues our cats, he tailgates so close he can actually get into our house right behind them when their chip activates the cat flap. Then he corners and beats them up inside our house. My girl cat once literally shat herself in fear.

He has twice attacked my daughter (who was 10 at the time, so not a tiny tot). He chased her across the lawn while she was running away, and when she turned, launched himself at her chest and scratched her throat. My daughter was hysterical when it happened. His owner says he does the same to her DC.

He turned on me once when I approached him while he was cornering one of my cats. Scratched me viciously and deeply. It became infected and puss-filled.

I feel as if there's something 'wild' about this cat. As if those leopard spots are him behaving like a wild vicious cat. I have grown to dread him and after last night I am really worried about my cats.

Is there anything I can do to keep him out of our garden that doesn't affect my cats? His owner won't lock him up.

OP posts:
Medlady · 15/09/2023 16:47

They love water, so a water pistol won’t help.

i feel you pain; we have something g similar going on

TheyJustDontFit · 15/09/2023 16:48

Water pistol or a handful of loose soil every time you see him in your garden might do the trick.

TheyJustDontFit · 15/09/2023 16:49

Oh cross posted nit water then.

Original poster
wednamenov · 15/09/2023 16:52

Medlady · 15/09/2023 16:47

They love water, so a water pistol won’t help.

i feel you pain; we have something g similar going on

That explains his indifference. I wish someone would steal him. He's incredibly beautiful and exotic looking, and probably cost a fortune. But a total bastard.

OP posts:
Charlattanus23 · 15/09/2023 17:03

Every Bengal we have ever encountered has been an absolute monster. The only thing that taught the one eyed Asbo cat in our neighborhood a lesson was when our two girl cats ganged up on him, trapped him in the shower curtain (their cat flap is in the bathroom) and both sat on him. He was quite docile after that. For a Bengal. I don't know what the answer is, I am so sorry for your cats, especially the girl who was obviously so distressed. Where we are currently renting there's a Persian blue who's also a bloody monster. We resorted to soaking our cats' poo/ litter tray in water and pouring it at the bottom of the garden where Blue Paws comes in. It helped a bit but we don't have young kids or older relatives about.

Medlady · 15/09/2023 17:10

A sparkler is the only thing I can think off that might scare him

Frozenone · 15/09/2023 17:33

What about the Silent Roar cat repellent?

Or dare I say a swift boot up the backside a few times..

caringcarer · 15/09/2023 17:43

I hope you aren't my DS's neighbour. He has a Bengal that loves people but really hates any other cat. Next doors young cat wondered in through his cat flap and he attacked it. He had it on its back and was biting its throat. My son said if he was not there he could have killed this cat about 6 months old. He had to take the young cat back next door and tell them his cat was very territorial and if he was not there at the time their cat would be dead. Luckily they decided to keep their cat inside after that. My son's Bengal payrolls his back yard and if any cat fares to come into it he attacks them. Even huge cats that are not neutered. He is a bully. My son would love to have his girlfriend move in with him but she has a little fluffy cat so he can't as his cat would kill her cat. Despite this he loves his Bengal. He loves water and my son leaves water in his sink when he goes to work and his cat paddles in it and splashes it about.

caringcarer · 15/09/2023 17:45

Patrols not payrolls. Bloody autocorrect.

Wolfiefan · 15/09/2023 17:45

It’s unfair but I think I would catproof your garden to protect your family. Both cats and human. This cat sounds unhinged.

Mouthfulofquiz · 15/09/2023 17:46

I don’t care what anyone says. Bengals should be kept inside. Yes that’s cruel. So don’t buy them as pets in the first place. A cat that has attacked a child in that way should be put to sleep in my opinion.

Original poster
wednamenov · 15/09/2023 18:26

Mouthfulofquiz · 15/09/2023 17:46

I don’t care what anyone says. Bengals should be kept inside. Yes that’s cruel. So don’t buy them as pets in the first place. A cat that has attacked a child in that way should be put to sleep in my opinion.

I have thought that if he was a dog he'd be the equivalent of an aggressive pit-bull type. Also, that dogs aren't allowed to terrorise and injure other dogs (or am I wrong about that?). Nor are they allowed to threaten children.

OP posts:
Original poster
wednamenov · 15/09/2023 18:28

caringcarer · 15/09/2023 17:43

I hope you aren't my DS's neighbour. He has a Bengal that loves people but really hates any other cat. Next doors young cat wondered in through his cat flap and he attacked it. He had it on its back and was biting its throat. My son said if he was not there he could have killed this cat about 6 months old. He had to take the young cat back next door and tell them his cat was very territorial and if he was not there at the time their cat would be dead. Luckily they decided to keep their cat inside after that. My son's Bengal payrolls his back yard and if any cat fares to come into it he attacks them. Even huge cats that are not neutered. He is a bully. My son would love to have his girlfriend move in with him but she has a little fluffy cat so he can't as his cat would kill her cat. Despite this he loves his Bengal. He loves water and my son leaves water in his sink when he goes to work and his cat paddles in it and splashes it about.

I wouldn't be bothered if he patrolled only his own territory. But tailgating my cats into my house and attacking my daughter in our garden... I am so sick of it.

OP posts:
Original poster
wednamenov · 15/09/2023 18:29

My son is stashing nerf guns and bullets around the place. Unfortunately he's a completely lousy shot.

OP posts:
Foggyfoggyfoggy · 15/09/2023 18:32

Can you blast a whistle at him whenever he on your property?

Ibizafun · 15/09/2023 18:33

Yes just cat proof your garden? No I absolutely would not put a healthy cat to sleep, just humanely make sure it can't get in!

Original poster
wednamenov · 15/09/2023 18:33

Frozenone · 15/09/2023 17:33

What about the Silent Roar cat repellent?

Or dare I say a swift boot up the backside a few times..

The cat repellent t would affect my cats too though. If I could get close enough to boot him, I think I would. I also think he'd retaliate by attacking me back.

A few weeks ago DH ran after him holding his cordless drill above his head while it was on (cat arrived mid DIY task). The cat didn't even look slightly bothered.

OP posts:
Original poster
wednamenov · 15/09/2023 18:34

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 15/09/2023 18:32

Can you blast a whistle at him whenever he on your property?

Adding this to list of ideas and going to try all of them.

OP posts:
Original poster
wednamenov · 15/09/2023 18:36

Ibizafun · 15/09/2023 18:33

Yes just cat proof your garden? No I absolutely would not put a healthy cat to sleep, just humanely make sure it can't get in!

Not possible. We have a huge garden so it would unaffordable and require us to chop down large trees, which I won't do for a monster of a cat.

He's not my cat so I couldn't put him to sleep even if I wanted to. I really just want him out of my garden and away from my cats and children.

OP posts:
Ibizafun · 15/09/2023 18:47

Yes of course I understand that

caringcarer · 15/09/2023 20:02

wednamenov · 15/09/2023 16:52

That explains his indifference. I wish someone would steal him. He's incredibly beautiful and exotic looking, and probably cost a fortune. But a total bastard.

Show quote history

My son's Bengal cat was a rescue cat. My son got him because someone he worked with marriage broke up and it was his cat and their house was sold and he moved back in with his Mum who had 2 cats of her own and the Bengal couldn't stay because he was vicious to his Mum's cats so he offered him free to my son. He's had him for almost 3 years and he loves him to bits. His cat does love people and anyone who will make a fuss of him. He doesn't hurt children or any people but just other cats. He doesn't even go far just likes patrolling his back yard. The one next door to you sounds worse. Is it a Tom cat and has it been neutered? Once my son got his neutered he calmed down a bit. He is always a bit concerned someone will steal him because he does look exotic.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 15/09/2023 21:55

Catio is the best solution. Bengals never give up.

Hes probably a very affectionate pet to his owner though.

Original poster
wednamenov · 15/09/2023 22:17

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 15/09/2023 21:55

Catio is the best solution. Bengals never give up.

Hes probably a very affectionate pet to his owner though.

Except that he jumps up at her daughter as well and freaks her out. Partly why I think they don't mind that he roams.

OP posts:
Original poster
wednamenov · 15/09/2023 22:20

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 15/09/2023 21:55

Catio is the best solution. Bengals never give up.

Hes probably a very affectionate pet to his owner though.

I do honestly think if anyone's cat gets deprived of it's freedom it should be the bengal. My neighbour already has four dogs in pens so might not have issues with it. My cats love our garden and surrounding woods. I can't cage them up. So unfair.

OP posts:
Original poster
wednamenov · 15/09/2023 22:22

@caringcarer This one roams far. Further than our yard. I think he has been neutered. I might ask other neighbours if he bothers their cats as well.

OP posts: