My mother has several outdoor cats. The new neighbors find them to be a nuisance. They claim the cats terrorize their cat, which they now keep inside. They also claim the cats do damage to their yard (but offer no evidence). They call my mother an unresponsible pet owner for not controlling her cats trespassing.
I have two questions. What should a responsible pet owner do about cats trespassing on a neighbors yard? And what rights does he the "victim" have against these cats? He has threaten to harm them.
Thank you.
2007-08-25 09:57:33 · 10 answers · asked by smurfoholic 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Not knowing your location, I'm afraid that I don't what regulations concerning pets are in force in your area.
As this is a new neighbour, I think that for the sake of future relations and the safety of your cats, it's best to have a civil conversation (if possible) with them to see if you can reach an amicable agreement. If the previous neighbour didn't have pets, your mother's cats may simply have considered the yard part of their territory. Have the neighbours explained why they find them to be a nuisance? If for example, they are toileting in their yard, then make sure that your cats have some soft soil or even a litter tray in your own yard that they can use instead. Their cat is bound to be feeling a little nervous having just moved to a new home, many cats are. You could offer to temporarily set up a rota system, whereby when they want to let their cat out for a couple of hours, that you keep yours indoors and vice versa. Finally, buy the neighbours a water pistol and tell them to use it on your cats to keep them out of their yard. If your neighbour is already threatening to harm them, then this is the most humane way that he can deter them from going into his yard.
Hopefully if they are reasonable people, they will understand that you are trying to find a happy compromise to the problem with the cats.
2007-08-25 22:37:29 · answer #1 · answered by Michele the Louis Wain cat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main thing I think they're concerned about is the fact their cat is being attacked. So they do have a legitimate beef with your cats and you do need to keep yours away from their cat on their property. If someone's dog came over and tried to attack your cats, you'd feel the same way.
Keep your cats contained (you can do a cat kennel run or do that cat proof fencing around your yard), or keep them indoors. IF they're on his property he does have a right to trap and take them to the shelter or animal control (and if they test positive for feluke or FIV they'll be euthenized, not held--be aware the Elisha test the shelters and animal control uses has a known 20% failure rate, showing healthy cats as having FIV when they don't). It's a legit concern for any animal being picked up due to a nuisance call or turned in by someone.
You're not a victim if you've been told about the situation and warned that it should not continue.
2007-08-25 13:57:39 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a responsible pet owner would not be having this problem in the first place, because they would either a) make sure that their cats stayed inside where they are safe or b) at least make sure their cats stay inside their own yard to make them a little bit safer. also if it was a responsible pet owner, they would definitely make sure that their cats were not being a nuisance to anyone or anything else. be glad you don't live by me - i have 9 cats of my own, but will not tolerate someone else's cat in my yard.i have set live traps more than once and called animal control to come and get them after they have been caught. i keep my cats strictly in the house and do not want them in my yard going to the bathroom or killing birds etc. that goes for dogs too - i have enough litter boxes to take care of inside, i don't want my flowerbeds to be used as such
2007-08-25 10:15:09 · answer #3 · answered by bassetfreak 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In my county, cats are technically subject to the same leash law as dogs (though it is rarely enforced) and you are responsible for keeping your cat on your property. It is enforced when someone calls and complains to Animal Control. In these cases, they may trap your cats (or give your neighbor a trap) and then relinquish them to Animal Control. You will pay a fine for violating the leash law and may have to prove that your cats are properly vaccinated for rabies in order to get them back. The fines get higher with multiple violations. If their cat gets injured or they can prove your cats did damage to their property, you will be held liable. And they will only hold your cats at the shelter for 72 hours before euthanizing them.
Luckily in my neighborhood, everybody has outside cats and we all get along with each other (cats and humans).
2007-08-25 10:07:30 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Obviously if he harms them, it would be considered animal cruelty. The most I believe he can do is bring the cats to the pound or have them taken away. It would be annoying but they'd be able to.
I suggest getting a block fence or something, IF that person has threatened the cats, get evidence of his threats. Try to find the 'evidence' that the cats are destroying his property...
That's all I know, hope it helps!
2007-08-25 10:04:54 · answer #5 · answered by xxxdarksakuraxxx 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cats are independent creatures by definition. You cannot control them. That's why in the days when there were dog licences there never were cat licences. Neither you or your cats can be held legally responsible for their actions.
Apart from building a climb-proof fence around your property, which is probably impractical, have them neutered to deter the wanderlust, and encourage them to stay near you by supplying plenty of toys, food, petting etc. so that they want to be with you.
Explain all this to your neighbour. He has no right to harm them and if he does, report it to the police and the RSPCA / ASPCA.
2007-08-25 10:11:15 · answer #6 · answered by Michael B 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
By law (in the UK that is) a cat owner is not liable for where their cat goes or what it does, as cats are deemed roamers and free spirits and that such behaviour is "in their nature". Whereas a dog owner is legally responsible for control over the behaviour of their dog.
2007-08-25 10:01:57 · answer #7 · answered by Mazza 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
TROLL: 1) Cats can't read signs, dumbass 2) It's against the law 3) Even if it was legal, what kind of monster would you be to shoot an animal? 4) I suggest you find and speak to its owners about the situation, if this is even a real question.
2016-05-17 22:14:34 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should definitely keep your cats in the house. It is too dangerous for the cats to be outside. It causes harm to the cats, wildlife, and owners.
http://www.abcbirds.org/cats/
http://cats.about.com/od/indoorsvsoutdoors/Indoors_VS_Outdoors_Cats_Really_Are_Safer_Inside.htm
http://maxshouse.com/outdoor_risks.htm
2007-08-25 10:04:46 · answer #9 · answered by Gabrielle D 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Tell your neighbor to sprinkle cayenne pepper around. It will keep the cats away once they get one whiff of that. Or use it around your perimeter, and maybe the will get out less. But it is in a cats' nature to wander a bit.
I do it to deter dogs whose owners like to let out to go and potty in others' yards. At least cats will cover theirs up. ;)
2007-08-25 10:07:18 · answer #10 · answered by outtahere2day 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋