It is illegal to let your cat outside. Neighbors that refuse.?

Question

The law is clearly on my side, but so many people refuse to keep their cats indoors. What can I politically do or say to get my neighbors to keep their cats indoors before I have to start trapping cats and turning them over to the authorities?

(A) No owner of any animal shall permit such animal to run large on any property not his own.
(B) No owner of any animal, shall permit the animal to enter upon any property not that of his owner, when it is not securely leashed or under direct control. It shall be prima-facie evidence that a dog is not under direct control if it chases, injures or kills any person or domestic animal or damages or commits any nuisance upon property other than that of its owner.
(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of permitting animals running at large, a minor misdemeanor. If the animal is a dog, a violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the third degree. If the animal causes physical harm to any person, or if the offender is, or has been, the owner of a dog which was declared a dangerous or vicious animal, a violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(D) This section does not apply to homing pigeons bearing official bands.
(E) Strict liability is intended to be im

The section I pasted here is just part of the code taken verbatim from the code.
it IS against the law to let your cat out here.

It can be $150 fine.

I didn't say I was going to kill their cats. I said I'd trap them and turn them over to the authorities.. meaning I'll trap the cats and they will have to pick them up at the humane society (the humane society actually gave me the trap this evening for a $20 deposit)...

This isn't 1 or 2 or 10 cats I'm talking about... It's alot of them. It is a neighborhood issue (btw I'm a fanatical birder... and have some very rare species living near me to explain why my panties are in a bunch).. and the birds are not an invassive species as cats are.

No one has answered the question... how can I politically tell them they need to keep their pets indoors so I don't have to start trapping?

And the traps will be only on MY property.

Answer 1

I sure as heck the law is on your side because it your neighbors responsibilty to take care of their cats. If you turn the cats over to the authorities they will put them in the shelter and if your neighbors don't claim in the cats in so many days then the cats get to go to better homes where they will be better taken care of and hopefully be trained to be inside cats and this will never happen again.

Answer 2

Sir, I guess I have to ask: why is it so terrible to have the kitties wander onto your property? they are not dangerous, and in normal circumstance do not harm property of any kind, they are just out exploring, then return home. Like bunnies and squirrels, they really are just looking for something to do and some friends. I understand some people are adverse to cats for whatever reason, ( as a lover of cats i can't comprehend it, but I respect your personal tastes/fears/dislikes.)
However, trapping these little animals for no crime other than toodling about looking for some mice to chase, etc, and turning them over to the authorities for euthanization ( which is what happens) is truly abhorrent: why not trap all the wildlife that crosses the boundaries into your yard? Exterminate all the rabbits, squirrels, deer, birds, etc. Just a thought.
That being said,
There is a product you can try, There is a product on the market today called "Shake Away" Cat Deterrent Granules. It is 100% organic- won't harm any of the animals around your proprty, but will deter them from coming over the line you shake out.
www.shake-awayproducts.com Toll Free 1-800-517-9207
They also make products that will keep Deer, Rodents, Rabbits, Skunks, and Gophers away. The stuff really works.. I used the one to get rid of mice when we had a ranch. Maybe this would be a more tempered and humane way to deter the little curious ones from wandering onto your property since it displeases you so. If your beef is with your neighbors, please do not take out your differences on the defenseless kits...

My ultimate wish would be to appeal to you and soften your heart to them and have you look forward to a visit from the furry neighbors and give them some pats and hellos, and enjoy their company. We love when our neighborhood cats visit, and look forward to them stopping by to say hello..... best wishes to you and I hope it works out well for all involved... including the kitties.

Answer 3

You are correct. It is illegal to allow your cat outside your property without a leash.

It is easy to say "keep your cat inside" I would love it if mine obeyed.

I adopted my cat as an adult where it had lived it's entire life outdoors.

My first attempts at keeping him indoors resulted in him camping at the front door and making a mad rush for freedom

We would sometimes win and keep him inside- but he would be waiting when we would be bringing in groceries and take advantage of the situation.

We would always expect him to go for it, so we would often close the door as quickly as possible.

To quickly close a door, you must put extra force behind it to make it move faster.

When we got to the point when we were slamming the door ON the cat, that we pretty much just gave up. We were going to kill him with the door.

I know, the classic comeback is:

"Well then! You should keep the cat inside, I can manage to keep the cat inside! You shouldn't own a cat if you can't keep it inside. I can keep MY cat inside!!"

When I hear this, I mentally see the person ramming their fingers in thier ears screamming "LALALALALALALALALALALA" as to avoid anything I just said, so I wont' bother to respond to it.

Congradulations that you are able to keep your cat inside. Not everyone can manage it. When you have to decide to break the law and let your cat wander free or chop it in half with the door- you have to make a decision.


I don’t know what the cats are doing to you, but you are in your legal right to be unhappy about it.

Those are “lawless” cats.

I think that a trapping and a call to animal control is within your right as a citizen.

I have a feeling that if you talk to your neighbors you have a 50-50 chance of them blowing you off, thinking that a cat is not a problem like a dog is.

When animal control is called, and the cats picked up and destroyed, you may find yourself in the midst of unhappy neighbors who don’t understand that you had a real problem with the cats.

Are getting rid of the cats going to be a better alternative to angry neighbors? If your answer is yes, then talk to the neighbors, and if they don’t comply, call animal control.

I know this may sound odd coming from someone who is doing EXACTLY what they are doing, but I know this:

My cat has shots, is licensed, and is microchipped and I honestly believe I am unable to keep him from going outside unless he is kept in a cage… which I think is cruel. I am ready to pay the fine if he is picked up because I AM the one responsible.

Answer 4

I'm not sure why the cats being outside bother you so much ? But, on terms of the care of the Cat .. I would agree that letting a cat out these days is almost asking for trouble. When I was a kid .. (way way long ago ), we could let them out and not worry. Today, there is a lot more traffic, people that don't like cats, .. and just more danger in general . I would never let a cat outdoor in this day and time .. not if I wanted him to stay alive. Check with your local community / County standards .. some areas of the Country it IS Illegal to let them roam around out doors. Good Luck ! :)

Answer 5

If I could encapsulate what is wrong with America (and maybe people in general) in one thing it would be this nonsense about outdoor cats.

This insistence on keeping cats indoors and even creating ordinances to that effect.

It's the province of a) ignorance and b) humans unfortunate compulsion to attempt to control and exert dominance over one another and concocting whatever reason necessary.

I'll start with asking Kevin B a question: do you mind, mice, squirrels etc. on your property? Do you feel so strongly about them? Are you actively poisoning THOSE animals? I'll bet dollars to donuts the answer is no. The reason is because those animals are not connected to some human being who you wish to harm.

That's the only difference Kevin and you know it.

Fact: cats hunt small animals and have been employed for centuries to keep rats, mice, groundhogs etc at bay and away from crops etc.

Fact: most cats are extremely unhappy confined indoors.

Fact: felines have existed for millions of years and occupy important niches in various ecosystems.

So Kevin, just wondering if you are ignorant of this and if not would you be willing to send your neighbor a CHECK to compensate him for the SERVICE that his cat has provided to you. I'm guessing you would not be willing to compensate your neighbor justly for his service to you.

See I grew up in a rural area a long time ago. Cats were seen as a good thing (because they ARE a good thing!) and people were THANKED for feeding them and caring for them given that they kill mice and small animals that otherwise would get into our houses. In that time people actually thanked neighbors with cats.

That was a different time oh boy! No one thanks neighbors for anything just looks for things to complain/gripe about and make easy money off of.

People don't thank anyone for service rendered and just turn around and take take take.

Kevin B you are an ignorant fool and no idea about anything. You think Darwin wanted cats indoors?

Answer 6

It is illegal in many places because house cats are an invasive species. They hunt and eradicate many native species that are an important part of the ecosystem. IT is not difficult to walk your cat as people do with their dogs. Or, create and enclosed outdoor space where they will not create a negative impact on the rest of the world around them. This is a matter of natural resource management. It is not always about how people are "annoyed by the innocent little kitty just wanting to be your friend". It is a larger issue that people should understand.

Answer 7

And will the authorities trust you on this? Will they honestly care about a cat?

Answer to both is no. that code is only going to be applied if the animal hurts somebody, not to mention that Police never go around just because somebody has a wandering cat.

Also, what about he land? is it their land? if so, you have no right, according to what you just posted. Another thing: if you kill the cat without being able to prove any damage to your property or Character, they can hold you legally accountable for that and sue you to kingdom come. keep that in mind.

Also keep in mind that this is nothing. A cat wandering around is absolutly no problem. What exactly is the problem anyways? did the cat pee in your yard? You poor person. it should help your grass.

Cats reduce stress and blood pressure. I think you need to get one.

Answer 8

I'm disgusted by this. I just got into it with my neighbor about my cat. She lied to the landlord ( we have the same one). She told him my cat jumps on her window and whines and she's not the only neighbor with a problem with my cat. So I went door to door asking every neighbor if they've ever had a problem with my cat all said no that she is making up stories.

Answer 9

it really is yet an extra reason my cats are interior in uncomplicated words and look quite satisfied. they're healthful. Your neighbor is being confusing. They sound lazy. what's the problem? previously the door is close then examine round to be particular no animals are locked interior. this isn't any longer a tremendous variety of work i'm particular. you may want to call animal administration and be conscious what they allow you to already know.

Answer 10

I had a neighbor that trapped my cat several times. Needless to say, I was pretty pissed. After that my roommates and I found every possible way to make his life worse. He finally got the message and left our cats alone. My point is, a cat roaming around outdoors is a slight annoyance for you, compared to a huge problem you might have with an angry neighbor. I can't imagine why you'd be worried about a cat anyway. Don't you have better things to worry about?

Answer 11

Most states may not have that law so cats are free to roam,How ever in some states the cats have to be up to date on shots..You can call the city/town hall and ask about the laws were you live..