Cruelty to cats???

Question

Hi, i have trouble with my neighbour, hes a old man and hates my cats. He thinks my cats mess all over his garden. Anyway, i have caught him this morning using a catapult out of his bedroom window aiming at one of my cats, my cat is in his own garden by the way, so i shouted at him and then went round, his wife gave me some abuse and pushed me. I have informed the police and the RSPCA and am going to the council tomorrow. The local beat bobby is coming out to see me tomorrow. I now know why my cat is sensitive to touch at times now and he spits at me , it's cuz he is hurt.
Anyone else had problems like this and if they have what have they done about it. It isn't the first time i have caught my neighbour doing this but i have had enough now. He also has spikes along his fence and i have had to mesh this side of the fence just incase my cats get hurt.

NO IT ISN'T MY RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP MY CATS INDOORS, THEY ARE FREE TO ROAM ,AND QUEENY KNOWS ITALL IF THATS YOUR NAME, YOU DON'T KNOW ITALL MATE, SO IF YOUR GONNA PUT STUPID ANSWERS THEN DON'T ANSWER AT ALL.

D D, you are pathetic. Why dont you get a life mate! Look at all the positive answers people have sent. I know i have rights and so do my cats. Animal cruelty is not an option. I hope the cats continue to sh*t in your garden!!

Thanks to all the nice people who have given me good advice.

Answer 1

Under UK legislation your cat has commited no crime by being in your neighbour's garden. "Since cats are excluded from the definitions of "livestock" and "cattle" under the Animals Act 1971, they cannot be held guilty of trespass under civil law and, therefore, their owners or keepers cannot be liable for any damage done".

Despite what some people are telling you, your neighbour may actually be committing an offence. UK legislation states "Any person committing an offence who, through cruelty, causes any damage or injury to a cat. Thus a person who destroys or damages a cat belonging to another, may be committing an offence under the Criminal Damage Act 1971. A threat to damage or destroy a cat belonging to a third party may also be an offence".

I think you've done the right things so far by informing the various authorities. Hopefully a word of caution from the police and the knowledge that the RSPCA is involved, may make your neighbour understand that his behaviour is not an acceptable way of resolving the matter.

This is an awkward situation to be in, and it's best for the sake of future relations, to try to find an amicable resolution if you can. (Obviously this requires your neighbour's co-operation). You could provide your cat with a litter tray, so that you can say with certainty that your cat is not responsible for messing in his garden. Or buy your neighbour a water gun to deter cats from his garden instead of a catapult.

Alternatively, if he's not willing to find a compromise, then speak with local cat owners to see if their pets have also been targets of his abuse. Try to get photographic or video evidence of your neighbour when he is being cruel to cats. If any of them are physically injured, then a copy of the vet's report will add further weight to your case. The more support you can get, the better, and multiple reports of animal abuse will definitely find him on the wrong side of the law.

Give your cat lots of reassurance and be patient as it may take him a while to feel relaxed again.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Sounds like your neighbour is loosing it.
I would try to keep the cats out of his garden for their own safety but push hard to get something done about these evil people. Pushing you is technically assault and firing missiles into your garden is dangerous to everyone around. Hopefully he's got a bad aim ( I've had 3 cats shot with air rifles since I lived here but that's old history)
See if you can come to a peaceful conclusion - though I rather doubt that's going to happen in your case.
As a solicitor once said to me ( regards a belligerent neighbour ) - he's old he's going to die - end of problem. To tell the truth I was shocked by this but the guy was right- the old man died and his wife made peace.
People are just weird.

Answer 3

I am glad you have contacted the RSPCA and the police, that was the right thing to do.

Unfortunately, they may not be able to do much about it without actual proof of what he is doing. Also, I think the law states that if the cat is in his garden, he is not breaking the law. I read that in an answer to another question similar to this one.

One thing I can suggest to you is to buy some cat-proof fencing, such as http://www.purrfectfence.com . This would mean that your cat stays safely in your garden, but still gets to enjoy the outside. I don't know where you live, but these fences are very popular in America, and many more people in the UK are starting to install them.

Unfortunately the modern world is not a safe place for cats to roam around in, and there are some horrible, vile people out there. If I were you, I'd seriously look at this fence option.

Good luck with getting some evidence against your neighbour and hopefully getting him charged with animal cruelty.

xx Emmie

Answer 4

Ask the police officer to have a word as the 'wife' seems violent and you don't want to aggravate things further. You may need to get your cat checked by a vet and if necessary get the vet report to use as evidence (cats cant testify what happened - - - )if necessary.

But don't forget that even the old guy is entitled to enjoy / use his garden as and when he sees fit.

Personally i think you are in the right here.... remain civil to your neighbours... you still have to live next door to them.

Answer 5

I am sorry to hear your neighbour has this kind of attitude towards your cats, while i do understand it is probably very frustrating for him he has no rights what so ever to shot a catapult at your cat, as cat are free animals and go were they like, and as for people say such rubbish about having to clean up after other people cat because of there kids how about all the crap we have to put up with off there flaming kids, IE verbal abuse, dropping there litter, no manners , smashing peoples windows need i go on. at lest all the cats does is S--- in there garden big deal, i hope tomorrow the police charge this man for cruelty towards your cat.

Answer 6

What a horrible situation and awful for your cats, after being used to going out, it would be difficult keeping them in I'm sure. Why dont you give the RSPCA a ring and see what they have to say about the situation. If you keep them in for the time being you could purchase a Feliway Plug-in from your Vet this will make them feel more secure and less stressed while indoors.

You could try writing to your neighbour explaining that you understand their concerns about their garden and that you are going to try out some cat repellent in their garden to see if that will stop them going in there. You can buy these sprays and pellets from Homebase type stores. You could also explain that their cattapult has injured one of your cats and veterinary treatment is very expensive. That you both want to resovle the situation etc etc. If they have any understanding in them at all they might agree to lay off for a while so you can at least try. Failing this I personally would move if possible.

Answer 7

Yes. It is cruel to catapult Cats,and the law it is on your side. but you should take control of the situation or this history could have a nasty end for your cats (he can use poison instead). It isn't your responsibility to keep your cats inside, although it is to keep your cats safe.
As other people said apologise to your neighbour for any inconvenient that your cat's could have cause him. (in this case its not so important to be right, but to be wiser).
Put the meanings so your cats stop littering his property.
COMPROMISE PLEASE. That's in your cat's best interest no to be near you neighbours anyway .Cheers.

Answer 8

Since earlier this year, legislation against deliberate cruelty to animals is now more fully enshrined in law than ever before. If your neighbour is deliberately causing hurt to your pets then he is liable for prosecution - the RSPCA will do this on your behalf if thought appropriate. To those who say you should control your cats - well, unless you keep them permanently indoors, you can not do that. The law recognises that cats are like a 'wild animal' in character and can not be controlled like, for example, a dog. Your neighbour should accept that, living in the UK, he's always going to have a domestic cat near him since there are around 9+ million of them in the country! It's a pity that he decided upon a cruel way to make them leave his garden, because you could have had a quiet chat with him and offered to buy a supply of 'cat repellent' crystals from a garden centre. They work quiet well and would show you understood his concern. However, he has now put himself in the wrong by targeting your animals. Incidentally, I thought it was now illegal to place spikes, glass shards, etc., along the tops of fences. Maybe you should make sure you bring that to the attention of the police. Good luck in your endeavours.

Answer 9

A neighbour gave my grand daughter Cat Rat Poison And it had an awful end , THe R. S . P . C . A . have been Notified But havnt done anything about it Yet .I hope they feed the Man Responsible Rat Poison .

Answer 10

Ahh...You live in the UK. Confining your cats inside is no option so perhaps giving your neighbor some cat repellent spray for his garden should help the situation. He should be punished for this act of animal cruelty. Also that man's wife should be punished by law for harassing you. Since the old man lives in the UK with you he should learn to accept cats for what they are. There are over 9 million of them in the UK.