My pitbull likes to eat neighborhood cats, what should I do?

Question

I have a 4 year old male pitbull, I love the dog and he is good to my family, Awesome with kids! He however will kill and half eat any neighborhood cats that come into my yard. I started to tell one of my neighbors after he ripped their cat apart but i figured it may be a barrel of fish I didn't want to open, so I threw it in the creek. I dont want any SPCA people messing with my dog. I have a great dog and its not my dang problem to babysit the neighbor's cats. Does anyone have any advice? I really couldn't care less about the cats, they are just ingrateful yard rats but can my dog get into any trouble by a troublemaking neighbor?

My dog is on a runner in my yard and doesn't leave the yard. I personally dont like cats and am not going to cage my dog or keep him inside. My pit is my problem, not the cats. I think they get what they deserve if their stupid owners turn them loose outside. Infact I think its amusing. I'm just worried about the legal aspect.

Answer 1

I don't like Bullpits, but this one sounds OK.

Anything that rids the world of cats is OK with me.

Any cat that roams should be dog food.

Just think of the savings in dog food. Wow!

Answer 2

Try having a large 12 by 12 pen for your dog when out side. Your dog should be properly supervised (or contained when you are not around) at all times you as the owner are responsible to do this. Yeah it is going to cost money. However your pit does not have the right to eat the cats. The poor people who lost the pets. How would you feel if another pit made a snack out of your dog. You be screaming for the dogs death I am sure. Here is a link about training your dog. http://www.samthedogtrainer.com/Articles_Pit%20Bulls.htm

The bottom two links are the effects attacks have on people. Do not think I am a pit hater I love them. My friend has two and I use to house sit went she went away. Yeah sleeping with two full grown pits is an experience.

Answer 3

Yes, your pitbull can get into an aweful lot of problem even if he is confined in your yard. No one wants an animal around that rips into other animals that inadvertently stray in the animal's territory. If yu take the attitude that you couldn't care less about other people's pets, they can take the same attitude and report your killer dog (becuase that's what he is to cats). The ASPCA can take your pitbull away if you do not take steps to kennel him. If I were your neighbor and even if I do keep my cats indoors and kenneled when they are outside, I would still be very very worried that you have a dog that rips other animals apart. Its not just the cats you see, its also the squirrels, racoons, etc. What if your dog got loose?

My advice to you - seriously - is to buy a huge chainlink fenced kennel for your pitbull.

Just to add on... you love your pitbull and you are responsible for his wellfare as well as his behavior. Does your pitbull have the righ to live? Well so do the cats, the squirrels, the racoons. Your live in a community, you should think about the safety of EVERYONE includng the other animals. Becuase if your pitbull kills someone's pet and they find out, your pitbull will be taken away from you... or you can pay a hefty fine and be ordered to kennel your pitbull. His behavior can escalate ito ripping into human beings if you don't take steps to curb it. Your kids can be next.

By the way, I don't like your attitude about other animals. I kennel my cats in a huge outdoor enclosure because I KNOW they will fight with other cats or the racoons that stray in my yard.

Answer 4

Such a loaded question there bud. I judge each animal on its specific behavior (not type or breed) and your dog is bad but you are worse. Sorry. You are legally responsible for the actions of your pet in your yard or not, and yes it is your responsibility to keep him pinned up in a way that he is not a danger to any other living creature. The advice you are looking for is either do that and hope no cops show up at your door because they will get the dog put down, while also hoping that no neighbor does the job, (which I would do If my pet was harmed/killed by your dog, while putting my boot in a specific owners orifice (yours) ) or do the truly responsible thing and put the dog down yourself. He already kills, you don't need to wait until he attacks a human, and since he has had fresh kill, you better hope its not a kid.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, once a dog has the taste of blood it will not stop at just cats. I lost a cat to a neighbour with a pitbull a few years ago, it got torn in half. It not only severely upset me, but also my young children which were traumatised. You need to take responsibility for your dog and it's actions. The law at the time was that 'nothing could be done' as it was on private property, but the ramifications to your family could, eventually, be enormous as the dog might just turn on you, your kids or someone else one day. Will you be able to live with yourself when that happens? You are actively encouraging your dog to kill. You might not care much for cats, but their owners love them. It caused my kids terrible nightmares for a long time to lose their beloved pet in such a horrible way.

Answer 6

I can't believe that the person who said pits should be exterminated actually got FOUR thumbs up. What is WRONG with you people? Pits can be very sweet, gentle dogs. And might I remind you that ANY breed of dog can kill. Any. It's ignorant people like some of the ones on here who perpetuate the MYTH that pits are killers and not good for anything else. Grow up, do some reading, and quit spouting off about things of which you quite obviously know NOTHING.

As for the problem at hand....it's awful that your dog is eating cats, but I also have a hard time feeling bad since their owners were dumb enough to let their "precious pet" wander around on its own outside.

If this is legit, you might try consulting with an animal behaviorist. They should be able to help you more than anyone here ever could.

As far as the legality, that depends on where you live. There are certain places where letting cats roam is illegal....if you live in such a place, the blame would fall on the cat's owner for letting it roam. If you don't, however, you could be faced with fines and your pit could be put down.

Answer 7

You are an out-and-out liar. All cats have enough sense to stay away from a vicious dog on a lead in another back yard. So you are simply letting your "good" dog get at a smaller animal that cannot survive an attack by him.

I'm sure he's also not neutered in line with your important macho image of yourself. Last year in San Francisco a 12 yr old boy was killed by his two "loving" unneutered pit bulls, the family pets. When your dear pet kills or injures one of your children you will be devastated and rue the day you felt you had to encourage the ownership of such a vicious pet. If the dog hurts someone else's child you will be sued up the gazoo for your irresponsibility.

Answer 8

you poor sick man you need help, shame on you for taking pleasure out of what is a horrible painful death for the cat.
a Friend of mine had three cats until a family with a pit bull moved in next door the crazed animal actually dug under the fence after killing one of my Friends last remaing cats just to then get at my friends screaming six year old daughter if her father hadn't been a sport shooter with a 22 this little girl would have been dead instead of in hospital with 13 stitch's. yes he shot that dog and all the while it's red neck owner was laughing that was until the crazy beast was shot in the head.

Answer 9

Compassion for all living things, just as you love your dog, people have the same feelings for their cats. Its a cats nature to explore. Usually a cat is swifter then a dog on a chain. If a cat gets in your yard are there ways it can easily get out? Pitbulls are notorious for horrible acts, please don't incourgage. Sounds like a good dog with a bad habit. Maybe the Dog Whisper can help. He's on Animal Planet and National Geo. channels. How about a bell on your dogs collar.

Answer 10

Whoa, your amusment at the cats' deaths disturbs me. I imagine you encuraging his behavior, telling him he is a good boy, laughing as you pick up half someones pet cat. It creeps me out. As much as you hate cats, other people hate pit bulls. It wouldn't be amusing if your dog was murdered just because he is a pit bull. But he is not JUST A PIT BULL. He is a cat murdering pit bull. If you care about what happens to your dog, please start careing about the cats! If it did come to the attention of authorities, your lack of concern for the cats might seal his fate. Putting up a fence is a great idea, as someone else suggested. I personally don't hate pit bulls. I've known some to be very sweet. But it depends on the dog, and the owner. But you have to be more responsible. Its dogs like yours that give them a bad reputation. (I believe they are banned in my town.) Its really sad for the families that have pits who are good. Please don't encourage this behavior in him. Make sure he can't harm anything or anyone else again. Good luck.

Answer 11

if I was you (and thankfully I'm not) I would be WORRIED. I'm not a great cat lover either, however, this is a serious problem.
There is a great risk of not only losing your dog but having to have it put down because of agressiveness. Sure, it's great with people but still, legally, any animal that causing harm to other creatures is still considered agressive and potentially dangerous. if nothing else, limit the time your dog is allowed outside and it should be supervised. you may think it funny now but when the spca comes knocking, there will be no second chances.