Advice dealing with a "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.

I disagree with everyone here so far namely because I dont have the room to fit everything in. Of course i dont go on gossip alone and Ive tried my best to be neighborly and friendly. But, lets face it.. the guy is straight out weird from my 6 months of being his neighbor. About a week after we moved in he took down all his bedsheets coving his windows, but only on our property side so he can watch us. And watch us is exactly what he does. Our cat is/was an indoor cat until my mom-in-law (from europe) started letting the cat out of the house. I have only so much control over that part of the situation.

the property owner is a real nutjob too. hes already threatened to sue me a week after i moved in for a tree thats 120 years old (on my side) breaking his sewage lines.

Answer 1

man sounds like a basketcase okay i gotta to highly agree with the 2nd to last poster im a law enforcement officer hears the deal he cannot treaten to kill a person or an animal if i was ever called on this guy i get a warrent to detain him for mental health because he sounds like a treat to himself and others. make sure you atleast have a collar around your car with an id tag saying its name your name and address in case the guy trys to calm it his or something if police is ever called. basically keep your guard up this guy sounds like someone who could come out with a shotgun and just start shotting. If you have any problems with this guy do not think twice call your local police and also since you said he a renter if enough police reports are made by law the owner of the home who he renting from is notified most land owners do not want this and subsquently termainent renting the home to that person .best of luck !

Answer 2

No, there's no "disclosure" for odd neighbors. His "strangeness" to everyone else is HIS business, NOT yours. He has a right to his privacy & so do you. He deserves more than you do IF it's true about him being a war vetran.

If he's not harrassing anyone, making good on verbal threats, slashing tires, etc, leave him alone. IF he does follow through, then & ONLY then should the police be involved. Calling repeatedly to the police will only get YOU into trouble for wasting their time & resources. If you hear him threating to kill his daughter, call the police. Otherwise stop listening to the neighboorhood gossips.

Indoor/outdoor cats usually have multiple owners. There's only one solution, make your cat an indoor pet only. If that's not an option, then deal with your cat going over there like adults & leave it alone.

Cats "running" out of a home can mean several things. Maybe your cat was scratching furniture & he was chasing it out. Maybe your cat bit your neighbor or another cat. Most cats will run out of harms way & away from a loud voice.

Answer 3

If you are worried about your cat, start by being a responsible pet owner and keep your cat at home. Maybe the man likes cats and allows them in( and out ). It is not against the law to let stray animals into your house. If he really threatened someone's life there would have been legal recourse. Do you go by neighborhood gossip to make your decisions ?? Sure, start up a neighborly relationship by calling the cops on the guy. He hasn't done anything to you.

Answer 4

First off, i know its a pain, but put the cat on a leash or keep him inside for safetys sake. Secondly, you realy have nothing to go to the cops with. However if the situation progresses to the point of threats, call the police, and make sure he is either arrested, or at the very least a report is made so that you have proof for any future events that may occur. If that doesn't help you can get the restraining order. You may also want to speak to the landlord of his house and urge your heighbors to do the same.

Answer 5

no there is no disclosure of such things. there is nothing to disclose. The guy just has a cat friendly house and the cats like to visit there. There is nothing wrong with that. You say you saw the cat "run out of the house" well that could mean anything. What you have here is a good old fashioned case of gossip driving peoples imaginations. Sure hes said a few crazy things, I have said some crazy things in my time to various nosy neighbours. He's broken no law (unless he really did threaten to kill someone) so let him be. Has he hurt your cat? No you just saw it leave. Get over it.

Answer 6

Maybe you should talk to your neighbor and get to know him. Everything you have based your instincts on is hearsay. Yes, he could be a disturbed person and be dangerous. He's also your neighbor. You "need" to try to get the guy to talk to you. Research some of the things he says. Worst case scenario is that you go with the neighborhood talk, you question the sanity of the neighbor, you are right, and one night he decides to visit you. If you have a complete picture of the situation, you can incorporate a few things into your life to keep you safe.

Answer 7

Your neighbor sounds like he's lonely and obviously has no neighbors he can call friend. You are listening to a bunch of gossip and you haven't had the chance to make up your own mind. Have you even met him to introduce yourself? And I have a cat friendly home and 2 cats from 2 different neighbors liked to come over and visit me. No harm done.

Answer 8

Buy a dog a very big dog. A gun would be useful as well. I dont see how the comings and goings of the neighborhood cats have anything to do with .... basically anything. I can see why the cops havent done anything because nothing has happened. Just protect yourself and get rid of your cat.

Answer 9

fight back be stranger then him the god angle works well try to convert him all the while being nice he is pro bally just a lonely old man and just needs a push to move.renters move all the time.sounds like he just like animals as long as he is not doing anything sexual with them whats the harm.the cops have better things to do then chase a cat person around and will probably get pissed your bothering them.

Answer 10

I agree with the first poster. to add to that. Some lippy teenager is messing with your yard. you tell them to scram, and they go tell there parents you threatened them. i agree gossip