How to deal with STRANGE neighbor?

Question

Just moved into our first home 6 months ago. Ive befriended several neighbors and all 5 have told me to "be careful" with one particular neighbor next door to me. The man is about 50-ish, lives alone, has some mental problems (vietnam or whatever), has two cats of his own. 3 neighbors have told me he was "very strange". One neighbor warned me that the guy in question threatened to kill his teenage daughter. And another neighbor told me she has found her cat in this mans house on more than one occasion. I find that strange and so did our neighbor. This man in question has been reported to the police several times with nothing to come of it (before we moved in). Today, my wife and I were looking for our cat and I saw him run out of this mans house (actually he's a renter).

So what can I do? Would calling the cops help out? Do I put a restraining order on this man? Arent there some sort of disclosure laws when buying a house? Especially since theres a track record of this guy? Now what?

The problem is the neighbors all think he is molesting their cats. and now with our cat running out of his house right when we are looking for him looks suspicious. He is strange and rambles his sentences in circles. I doubt he is a nice cat whisperer.

Answer 1

Can you keep your cat indoors? I know some cats or outdoor cats, but if yours is friendly or fearless, and you let him outside, there's not much besides constant monitoring that'll keep him out of strangers' houses.

Get as much information as you can about this guy. Does he have family? If so, maybe they can give you more information about how to handle him. Don't just rely on rumors. Try to figure out his real deal. If you ever see anyone visit him, ask the visitor about him.

If you can, find out what his illness is. Since police have been called, maybe they know, or maybe they can put you in touch with somebody who does. If you can find out what he's been diagnosed with, read about the condition. Knowledge about his illness could help you predict his behavior and figure out how to respond to him. Maybe a doctor could help, too.

Remember: He might not have a solid grasp of reality, or that solid grasp comes and goes. So don't be surprised when you can't reason with him.

This might be a way for you and your neighbors to pull together. It's good that y'all have already shared information. See if each of you can find more to share.

Answer 2

Nothing you have described is grounds for any type of police action (with the possible exception of threatening the teenage girl...which was hearsay BTW).

This person sounds simply like an antisocial type who likes cats. So what if a neighbour's cat was in his house. Did he harm the cat? It didn't sound like it. Did he harm your cat? Since he lives alone, perhaps he derives companionship from cats...nothing wrong with that either.

No judge in his right mind would grant a restraining order in view of what you have stated. In fact, this man may have cause for legal action against your neighbours for slander, false police reports, etc. Should one of those ACLU lawyers come across this man, your neighbours may well end up owing a lot of money.

What it really sounds like is a case where neighbours just simply don't like the man because he is anti-social. Maybe if they were more friendly and tolerant, they would discover that he isn't the ogre they are probably imagining him to be.

My advice would be to not be too quick to judge based on comments of others (hearsay). Wait and see for yourself.

Answer 3

From what I hear your cat might have reason to file a restraining order, but I doubt that you do. Perhaps you should try being neighborly.

Again he simply sounds like a cat lover (not literally) who realizes when the cat owner is looking for their pet and allows it to return home. You know we live in a culture that promotes our fear of one another. This person may have some psychological challenges. I'm not telling you to not be guarded. All I'm saying is perhaps your neighbors have drawn the wrong conclusions about him and brought you into their way of thinking. I don't know. I'm not there. But I really don't hear you telling me anything that would lead me to believe that this guy is a threat that requires police involvement.

Answer 4

Last I heard, there were no laws against people being "strange". Maybe he DOES have some problems- but it sounds like he keeps them pretty much to himself. As for the cats, -sounds like he likes them (but WHY are they running all over the neighborhood ANYWAY???). -So you're lucky he doesn't invite them in - to eat. Weird people are all around us...-but usually we don't KNOW that, until it's too late. This guy sounds like a harmless, lonely "eccentric"- whose biggest problem may alot of nosy neighbors with alittle too much time on their hands. Get a grip- & leave the poor guy alone...

Answer 5

Exactly what has this guy done wrong? The only thing I gather is a bunch of paranoid people with loose cats. I have a cat and I know my cat wouldn't go into a strangers house unless that stranger was giving him food and treating him nice.

Answer 6

I'm 50ish, never been to Vietnam, I have a daughter and I live alone.

My neighbors' cats run out of my house after eating special kitty I buy for them. They come by twice a day to be fed.

My neighbors are aware that they come over, no one has reported me so far.

Note: Please do not move into my neighborhood, I do not want to go to jail.

Answer 7

have you met cat man? every one said the same thing about one of my neighbors lucky for me I did not listen I would be lost with out her she is my best friend!

Answer 8

All your heard is rumors but what has truly happened is that your cat got into his house proving you failed to control your pet, which became a public nuissance. Your fault, not his.

Answer 9

Wow, sounds like a real freak.

I guess if you call the cops about him "stealing" your cat, they might do something.

Answer 10

leave him alone, dont even bother with him,,, not worth your time.