How can we stop a psychopathic cat from harming our daughter and remaining cat?

Question

This cat lives next door and has attacked my daughter and my two cats without warning. One of my cats has now been put to sleep because of the injuries and the other one had almost its tail ripped off. The RSPCA won't help, the owners of this cat don't care, what can I do?

Answer 1

Call the animal control at your local police. Vigilantyism will get you jail.

Answer 2

Legally you're on dodgy ground; the owner of a dog can be held liable for its behaviour, but not a cat. On the other hand, animal welfare legislation holds you responsible for anything that you do to to this cat. Its a conflict between two seperate areas of legislation and you're caught in the middle.

I think you're going to have to resort to some sneaky methods to make it clear that this animal is not welcome to enter your property.
To start with, you need to scent mark the boundary to make it clear that it isn't his territory. Patchouli oil is a strong perfume that is disliked by many cats and if you apply it regularly to the fence it may put him off crossing the line. Orange and lemon oil are also effective but only when they are fresh and they wear off quickly. Try some silicon water retaining granules soaked in orange oil, with a drop of methylated spirits. Keep the rain off the granules and the scent should last a while. Don't put them directly on the soil. Put them in yoghurt pots or similar.
Try a large plastic owl you can get to scare off birds. Move it regularly so it seems more realistic.
If you have an outside tap and your pets are at risk, get a hosepipe attatched.
You never know when you might need to water the garden in this weather.
Cats dislike very loud sharp hissing noises, such as that made by an aerosol; a can of flea spray will have most cats runnimg away at the first hiss.
Your neighbours are shameful people; nobody would tolerate a dog that killed other peoples pets and attacked children.

Answer 3

I think this cat has been badly abused and is petrified of anything that moves....not that that makes it right for your own cat to die and your child to be mauled. If the owners dont care, get onto the RSPCA again; if they dont want to kn ow, ring the police and see what they say; they might know the address of some kind of animal shelter that will loan you a trap. Have you tried calling the Cats Protection (UK) They are really nice people, and might come up with a solution for you. Good luck, and I'm so sorry you lost your little cat in such an awful way.

Answer 4

I'd consider contacting the local press to name and shame your neighbour, especially since a child has been attacked. It's a shame but you should try and keep your other cat indoors and play high fences along your garden so the neighbour's cat can't enter. Also, keep a water pistol on hand to give the cat a soaking whenever you see it in your garden.

A last resort would be get yourself (or borrow from a friend) a nice, big dog. Make sure he likes your cat then let him into the garden whenever you see the neighbour's cat.

Answer 5

You sue the owners of the cat. A cat would not behave this way had something dreadful not been done to it. Based on what you say about your neighbors, it doesn't sound like they give a #*@( about anything, much less their pets, so it's not a leap t assume they've abused the poor animal. That said -- let THEM pay the price for it. If you had to put your beloved pet to sleep and have accumulated vet bills for both and/or doctor bills for your daughter, you have grounds to sue for damages, negligence, endangerment, etc. Consult a lawyer. Please also request that, should the animal have to be put down, that it be done humanely and NOT left to the idiots next door. I guarantee that if you sue, they WILL care. (And if it were me, I'd also be asking for an injunction to not allow them to have animals anymore.)

Best of luck!

Answer 6

Try to trap it within your home (then it has, in effect, broken in to your property) and then beat it like a ginger stepchild.

No, seriously, you probably cannot do anything about the injury to your other cat because it is within their nature to fight (sometimes very violently) but is the animal poses a danger to your daughter or any other human either on public property (streets and pavements etc) or on your own property then it must be removed.

If the neighbours refuse to help or seek medical assistance (e.g. neutering or spaying can reduce violent behaviour in Cats) then you should call the police. If they cannot help, try your local council, or even possible a pest removal company. Take photographs or home videos of any unacceptable or unreasonable behaviour and note down any such occurrences - it is important to have as much evidence in your favour as possible in the event of having to take affirmative action of your own.

Bear in mind that if you enter your neighbours property then their cat is on 'home turf' and you have waived a number of your rights in the matter.

Answer 7

Everytime it comes in your yard or near your house blast it with a water hose. Cats hate water. If this doesn't work shoot it. I would rather get in trouble for killing the cat than have it hurt my child. I hope you are documenting when you have problems with this cat. Pictures, video, eyewitness accounts. This sounds like something that could end up in court. If so you will need proof that the cat is dangerous to your child and pets. Good Luck.

Answer 8

If the cat has harmed your child, Animal Control should take it away to be examined, possibly for rabies. Any time an animal attacks a human, the human (or parent of a child) is legally obliged to contact Animal Control to report a hazard.

Answer 9

One thing that jumps to mind is to spray it with water whenever it comes near. The other thing is to get a dog. It might also be worth speaking to a solicitor, up in Scotland where i am, many give the first 1/2 hour consultation free. Technically it is a dangerous animal.

Answer 10

Try feeding the problem cat till it becomes your servant. If it doesn't work, talk with your neighbor(do not get mad), If there's no other way, spray just a bit of pepper spray on the whole fence/area limits. When the cat comes over to your area, spray him, too. careful with the owner! Or use low(very low) settings on an electrical defense weapon(the ones that go in your bag). Get a lawyer, just in case.

Answer 11

How does the cat get over to your place? If you really wanna stop it, take matters into your own hands. Tell the owner that if the cat doesn't leave your family alone, you'll get rid of it. If nothing changes, get rid of the cat.