My neighbour has set up a trap for my cat.?

Question

My nextdoor neighbour has recently hammered 200 2 inch nails along the top of the fence that divides our properties. When I asked him why he said it was to stop my cat from going in his garden. OK I thought. Even though this row of nails is right outside my sitting room window, I'm a tolerant person. A couple of weeks ago, he did a similar exercise at the bottom of our gardens but with the addition of lengths of strong fishing line. I've asked him to take down the fishing line as it could harm my cat if it got caught up. He refuses. He also told me that he classifies my cat as vermin.

We are in Britain where cats are protected and have the right to roam by law. He ownes the fence.

He has a pond with some fish - I think this is the problem. Or is it that he is just a tosser? The funny thing is he's about 60 years old and 5ft 4in tall. I think he's an evil bully. What do you think?

I spoke with the RSPCA today and tomorrow I will be asking him to take it down again.

Answer 1

Ask him to try double sided tape.

But you also need to look at his side of things. Sure, you're not doing something illegal by letting your cat roam, but if your cat has gotten his fish, that's not really very nice of YOU.

Work with him to find a way to keep YOUR cat away from HIS fish. Perhaps you could only let your cat out during certain times of the day when he is around to protect his fish. Or, perhaps you could purchase some protective "netting" that would drape over the pond when he is not around, thus protecting them not only from your cat but other predators.

Rather than forcing his hand, try and come up with a viable solution that works for both of you. No matter what, you still have to live next to him.

Answer 2

You might also find that the nails on the top of the fence are against the law. After all, some one could get hurt climbing over the fence. And I'm not kidding. Ask the police. It could be considered a trap for burglars which is against the law even if it's on or to protect your own property. There is a device he could buy that would scare off animal intruders. It's connected to a hose and when it senses movement it shoots out a jet of water at it. A much kinder way of keeping them away plus he would get the added benefit of the odd burst of water for his precious garden. (In that way he might even look forward to your cat coming in as it would be a way of getting round the hose pipe ban.)

Answer 3

Hi there, this guy has a right to protect his garden/pond from your cat but in a reasonable way, it might be a good idea to call in to your local police station and ask them if what he is doing is acceptable, I have kept cats for years and my next door neighbour is a very keen gardener, he keeps a bicycle pump close by a bucket of water and squirts water at the cats if they are a nuisance so I class that as a reasonable defence, fortunately I get on ok with my neighbour, try the police, and Good luck!

Answer 4

I'm sorry your neighbour has come to the point of no return there is never any good enough reason for animal cruelty
that said it is also not pleasant to be weeding your garden and having to work around (cat poo) all (responsible) cat owners should know to train there cats in there litter trays then move the litter tray outside when the cat is outdoors plants cost money and cats destroying them leaves angry neighbours
I'm not an oldie but i do like to enjoy my garden poo free from someone Else's pet if neighbours dogs done the same on you're property would you be pleased i think not

Answer 5

Your neighbors may not be aware of the feral cats fighting with theirs or the close calls on the road. Please tell them. That information may prompt them to do something differently, like keep the cat in at night perhaps. The leash laws do not change the legal ownership of a cat. If the cat is wandering off their property, it may be taken to the shelter - where they can then claim it - but it doesn't change the fact that it is their cat. I understand that you disagree with letting the cat outside. I don't think that justifies taking it. Many people share your point of view. Many people disagree with your point of view. Imagine if the situation were reversed and you had an indoor only cat, or one only allowed outside on a leash. Suppose your neighbor thought it was terribly cruel to sentence a cat to lifetime imprisonment. It pains your neighbor to think this beautiful cat will never run up a tree, dash across the field, or stalk a mouse. The neighbor decides to seize upon any chance to liberate your cat and move away with it. Is it okay for them to take your cat because they think you aren't acting in its best interests? Obviously you love cats, so please consider adopting one from a shelter. Don't take this cat that already has a home. Healthy cats are euthanized every day and you can give a wonderful home to one of those.That would be a great example to your daughter.

Answer 6

I think that you should go out and cut the line yourself. His fence or not it borders your property and he has deliberately put it up to harm your cat. Call the law on him and report him for being inhumane. Also I would try to keep my cat indoors even thought your law allows them to roam free. If he is going to this extreme already and it is not working who is to say he will not set food out with rat poison in it to stop your cat altogether. Yes this happens I see it all the time here where I am in America. If the cops there will not do or say anything to this guy I would file a claim with the courts and take legal action in this matter. You need to have something on record just in case something were to happen. Protect your cat and others that may be going onto his property. i wish you the best of luck with this and the best of health to your feline friend. HAGD

Answer 7

get a litter tray and keep your cat inside for the time being whilst you sort this moron out.

What did the RSPCA say? They should be able to help you start proceedings for endangering animals. Just because its his fence, it does not mean its his right to put nails on the fence. If the RSPCA come up with nothing, consult your vet, citizens advice and the police. Regardless how he sees your cat, he doesn't have any right to set traps.

Bear in mind though, if you do succeed in getting these traps down, he may continue to try to damage your cat. Unfortunately cantankerous old men often think they're above the law and just will continue. If it was me i'd be considering moving to protect my cats but its expensive and you shouldn't have to leave your home. I would just try prosecuting as much as you can and in the meantime keep you kitty indoors and as safe as possible.

Good luck

Answer 8

How about a compromise of sorts? Do they sell anything in your country that repels cats? If so offer to buy some for him to put around his garden and pond to keep you cat away if he will take the nails and line down. He may not go for it but at least you will know you have tried. And by all means keep in contact with the RSPCA about anything else he does.

Answer 9

This is quite a dilemma you have. First of all what he's doing could endanger someone (never mind the cat) - for instance, a child climbing the fence to get a closer look at his fish. So, yes, he sounds like a complete bullie (and an idiot too). I'd like to recommend that you keep your cat indoors (they really do ok indoors). Your cat's life is in danger with a neighbor like that...

P.S. I like PunkRocker's answer about hanging a fishing pole with nails on the end over his pond (ha, ha, ha!)

Answer 10

I would take the stuff down. Your cat could get seriously hurt. That guy sounds like a big huge brat but he's only 5 feet four. lol Anyways I would tell hime that he'd better take it down or else. Or if that doesn't work keep your cat inside most of the time. Another that you might should try is show him or tell him the law that tells him that your cat should be able to roam. I hope it goes well. Love mel x0x0

Answer 11

You can't force another person to think reasonably. The RSPCA may be able to get him to remove the fishing line and nails, but that will not make him tolerant of your cat. He may next put out poison or worse. In the interest of your cat's safety and peace in the neighborhood, the only solution is to keep your cat inside and only allow supervised trips outside or build an enclosed area outside that the cat cannot get out of.