The fish are huge, so I imagine they're quite expensive. My cat has been eyeing them up, and he's come home with some rare finds recently, so I wouldn't be surprised...
2006-08-29 00:09:16 · 40 answers · asked by K38 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
No you won't be liable, it is up to your neighbour to make sure that the pond is made safe from predators it does not cost much to net or grid a pond to make it safe, people with fish ponds know the risks. My parents have a fish pond that has a grid on it and their neighbours have cats, the fish are safe and the cat just sits and looks in the pond.
2006-08-29 01:00:31 · answer #1 · answered by denniscat 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The law clearly states "should any cat not of sound mind kill next-door's fish the owner will not be held liable". So, if your cat's of sound mind basically you're liable and could face a month in the stocks in your town being pelted with rotten eggs by disgruntled townsfolk. If, however, your cat's a total look then you're off the hook
2006-08-29 00:18:05 · answer #2 · answered by trog 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you cannot be liable for the actions of your pet. Cats hunt, it's the natural thing for them to do and if your neighbour is worried that the cat will take his fish he should take reasonable steps to prevent it getting access.
Contrary to what someone else has said regarding dogs, an owner would not be liable if it killed, for example, a pet rabbit.
2006-08-29 00:32:10 · answer #3 · answered by nomore 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suspect you might be - so be prepared just in case.
I suggest having a few emergency items on standby:
Establish an alibi: Find a sympathetic neighbour to write a note apologising that they only just discovered your cat trapped inside their garage and that the last time it could have gotten inside was 3 days ago.
Deep fat fryer and lemon-pepper seasoning (to dispose of the evidence).
1 package non-toxic hair colour (any colour other than the cat's natural one - I suggest shades of camouflage green in case he has to go on the run.
Alternatively, present your neighbours with the lovely gift of a new kitten of their own (with the same colours and markings as your own. Then they'll never be able to prove which cat it was.
Good Luck!
2006-08-29 00:29:55 · answer #4 · answered by Joyous 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Although a good lawyer could argue that reasonable care was not taken to secure the pond from wildlife, and you took reasonable care to prevent your cat from entering next doors garden. Slim chance.
By the way, I got my fish from a stream - tiddlers. I wouldn't charge you a thing. But a guy out here (in the papers) just put 300k pounds worth of Goldfish (OK - he calls them Golden Carp) in his pond.
2006-08-29 00:22:44 · answer #5 · answered by Simon D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that anyone is responsible for what a cat does, dogs yes but not cats (though I could be wrong) however if my cat ate next doors fish I would offer to pay for their replacements as a gesture of good will.
2006-08-29 00:51:42 · answer #6 · answered by Pawstimes16 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
do you know what now adays you cant even fart in public with out getting done for it say a robber comes into your property and trys to steal you give him a clonk on the head and your the one who ends up in jail just go round to your neighbour and ask if they wouldn't mind putting a net over the pond and explain you wouldn't want your cat to harm there fish maybe this way they would understand
2006-08-29 00:25:11 · answer #7 · answered by private 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In England, cats count as wild animals. If yours kills next doors fish, they won't be very pleased with you, but they can't sue you unless they can prove that you did not take "reasonable care". With a cat, there's not much you can do.
On the other hand, if your cat repeatedly threatens their fish, they can kill it and there's nothing you can do about it unless they caused it "unnecessary suffering".
2006-08-29 00:23:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No , but if your neighbour actually sees your cat doing the deed he can ask for compensation, out of courtesy I would pay up, but if you dont he can probably take you to court but even then I'm not sure of the outcome because they're likely to ask if the pond was adequately protected against cat/heron/snakes.
2006-08-29 00:22:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes, but remember the fish are pets too so you might not just get new ones( for example, you don't someone to replace your cat would you?). and if the fish a purebred koi, they can be verryy expensive so my advice is to keep a veerryy close eye on you cat(maybe leave it in the house/garden when you're not there)
2006-08-29 00:37:37 · answer #10 · answered by i like pizza 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋