My cat just caught and killed my neighbours pet bird,now what?

Question

I can't keep my cat on a leash, I am sorry and all but what does the guy expect when he leaves his bird in the garden unsupervised? He told me to buy him a new bird I told him to get real, should I buy the bird? I mean if it hadn't have been my cat someone elses would have got it. It's a cats natural instinct to catch prey I even have one of those noisy collars on him what more can I do? He also says if he sees my cat he will throttle it.

I did apologise nut he just became abusive, this guy is just a bully and wants to scare me. If he cared about his bird that much he would have taken better care of it.

hey catloverme123 your an asshole, If I was neglecting my cat he would not return home to me a million times a day as he does. You are irresponsible for keeping your cats in prison, you don't deserve them they must be stir crazy poor things. Hopefully they will get out your door soon and get away from your forever you crazy cat witch.

Answer 1

I can’t recall ever reading as much sub-moronic prattle as I have read in some of the responses to this question. This gentleman with the dead bird has every right in the world to peruse legal action, and I’m most certain he would prevail in recovering the cost of his bird if not more.

The intellect of the bird owner leaving the bird out in the yard is irrelevant. It's his yard he has the right to leave as many birds as he wants out there anytime he wants. You as the cat owner really need to consider the following facts that you profess in your question. You admit full knowledge of a cat, of which you are the owner, went into your neighbors’ yard, then captured and killed his pet bird. In regards to jurisprudence, I don’t know what else could be said to further pronounce your guilt, unless you video taped the whole thing.

Free ranging cat, what in the world are you people talking about? Cats are domestic house pet’s, they are a non-native species in the United States. A cat that is not under its owners control is one of two things a. Lost, or b. Feral. In either case it is doing nothing but damage to the environment and it needs to be removed by what ever means the local authority having jurisdiction deems appropriate.

This repeated defense that the cat is just instinctively doing what a cat does, has to be the pinnacle of ignorance. A cat doing what a cat instinctively does, does not relive the owner from any responsibility of the cats actions. In fact it extrapolates the owners’ responsibility because the owner is aware of the instinctive tendencies of a cat. Which should be all the more reason for the owner to control the activities of the cat.

Let’s say for instance that the neighbor had a toddler that was playing in the back yard, this child notices the cat and grabs its tail. The cat instinctively scratches or bites the child. Most of you responding to this question would relive the owner of the cat of any responsibility because the cat was instinctively doing what a cat does, it’s a ludicrous defense.

Answer 2

You cope, don't hold the grief in just let it out. Without proof it was the cat, it's hard to say what may have done it. Raccoons are notorious for killing birds, kittens and other animals. If you have foxes or a coyote by you, they'd have done that to the ducks as well. Ditto with dogs off leash and roaming around. Usually a cat can't tackle something as big as a duck so they avoid them. Unless you mean a duckling and not a full grown duck? I'm sorry for your pets, it's hard to have that happen all at once in such a short amount of time.

Answer 3

The county where I live has people who serve as arbitrators in disputes about animals. See if this might be available.

I agree that it was careless of him to not see that the bird was at risk from any marauding animal. A dog or raccoon would have done the same thing.

It's always unwise to let human conflicts escalate to the point of threats and he might very well take "revenge" on your cat. It's not the right thing to do and there still would be that danger.

If such an arbitrator is not available where you are then maybe another neighbor with a cool head would be helpful.

Answer 4

Now what? The cat is very full.

Just kidding.
I don't think you necessarily owe him a new bird, but you need to check with your city ordinances about whether or not you are allowed to have a free roaming cat. They may say that it is your responsibility. If you find out that there is no law against it, you may be in the clear, but then again he could take you to small claims court.

Either way, he has already threatened the cat, so if you love your animal you had better keep it indoors from now on.

Answer 5

I agree with you. He shouldn't have left the bird unattended but for the sake of keeping the peace offer to replace the bird. You have to live there after all. Tell him that you'll only do it once and if he's stupid enough to leave bird out again it's his problem. If he hurts your cat then you can have him on a charge of animal cruelty. Doesn't matter that your cat killed his bird, cat was just acting on instinct.

Answer 6

Take the cats collar of him it's cruel.
Buy your neighbour a new bird and a water pistol.
Smile and say good morning and don't go tweet tweet.

You might want to move one day and you have to report the fact your neighbour doesn't like you?
My two cats are the same but fortunately the birds in my area are magpies. The mice have a bath though. I am always responding to their call to look and see how clever they are.
I wouldn't mind, but I have to dry the mice before letting them go after I've lock the cats in.

Answer 7

Actually he can take you to court to force you to pay for the bird. His bird was in his yard. Your cat was in his yard. You are in the wrong, not him. Your cat had no business being in his yard in the first place. Irresponsible pet owners (that would be you in this case) are the reason so many cities make ordinances about catching and killing any outdoor cats within their city limits.

Cats don't belong outside, they belong inside. I really don't blame your neighbor for being angry with you. If your cat is a nuisance he could probably have the dog pound take it away from you and you could be fined. I hope he doesn't make good on his threat to hurt your cat. It was your fault for letting it outside and not keeping it contained in your yard where it wouldn't be able to do any damage to your neighbors property or their pets.

Answer 8

Stupid man , why would he leave a bird unattended in the garden knowing his neighbour has a cat , thats just silly , he is at fault not u or ur cat , the cat did what its instincts told it to do , my cat has brought home many dead birds ,luckily not anyones pet . What type of bird was it ? was it in a cage ? Phone the police (just to chat with someone ) and tell them what has happened and tell them this man has threatened to throttle ur cat , im sure they would be on ur side

Answer 9

Unfortunately for you, you are responsible for his bird's death. His animal was in his own yard. Your cat was not under control and in your own yard. You are liable. He will have every right to take this issue to court. I would suggest that you try to peacefully solve this issue before it gets any worse. Just because its an animals nature, isnt going to fly in front of a judge. Imagine that excuse with a loose dog that attacked a neighbors kid. I dont think saying that 'what kind of parents are going to let their kids play outside unsupervised' is going to work out either. Plain and simple you are responsible for maintaining control over your animal and for keeping it in your own yard. You really should consider, heavily, keeping your cat inside. It is the responsible thing to do. It is safer for them and obviously safer for other animals. If you give your cat the attention he needs and a play tree or something to keep him busy, you shouldnt have any problem with him staying inside.
Also check out bird rescues...he should be able to replace his bird with another at a lower cost to you.

Answer 10

maybe you should buy him a new bird, i agree it is a cats natural instinct to catch and kill birds, just to keep the peace, my dog killed a neighbours kitten, it wondered over the fence, i felt so awlful, as it was a childs pet, i brought them a kitten. My dog, was trying to play with it. Tell him to hang the birds cage up in the air somewhere, good luck.