bill88 6 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Could someone who may know, tell me what are the legalities regarding a cat entering your property and being attacked by one or more of your dogs? My neighbour has recently acquired a kitten,and as with all kittens it is exploring its surroundings.My worry is that if it fell into my garden whilst climbing on the fence,or was stalking my chickens and the dogs spotted it,i know what the outcome would be.I have spoken with the neighbour and explained that my dogs are not broken to cats,and that there isn't much chance of me rescuing the cat if the dogs got it first yet her answer is "oh cats are quicker than dogs,they wont catch it".Where do i stand,i dont think its fair that my dogs should be kept "locked up" when normally they are allowed to spend there day in the garden.Help!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kay 3,709 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 i am not sure on the legal side but its your garden & although i am a cat owner & a greyhound owner i think its just bad luck if the dog has a visiting cat As the neighbour is aware your dogs arnt broken to cats i fail to see how there can be any come back if one of your dogs does have a cat so far i have been lucky here with this dog , she isnt broken to cats but i dont allow her to free roam the yard anyway as she isnt broken to ferrets either & no doubt would kill both , so i am just extra cautious , but if i didt have ferrets & a cat she could use the yard & if a cats stupid enough to venture in the yard then tough. Round here i find the cats who live with dogs the worst they will actually wander up to you while you have the dog on a lead its doing wonders for my upper body strength Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bill88 6 Posted August 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 i am not sure on the legal side but its your garden & although i am a cat owner & a greyhound owner i think its just bad luck if the dog has a visiting cat As the neighbour is aware your dogs arnt broken to cats i fail to see how there can be any come back if one of your dogs does have a cat Kay i wouldn't want anything to happen to the cat,and im trying my best to try and prevent anything happening,but its not fair that my dogs are being kept out of there own garden.I don't think my neighbour inderstands that my dogs will kill the cat,there will be no chance of it posturing and hissing,then who's to blame? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kay 3,709 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 i am not sure on the legal side but its your garden & although i am a cat owner & a greyhound owner i think its just bad luck if the dog has a visiting cat As the neighbour is aware your dogs arnt broken to cats i fail to see how there can be any come back if one of your dogs does have a cat Kay i wouldn't want anything to happen to the cat,and im trying my best to try and prevent anything happening,but its not fair that my dogs are being kept out of there own garden.I don't think my neighbour inderstands that my dogs will kill the cat,there will be no chance of it posturing and hissing,then who's to blame? Cant you show then what they do to a rabbit , i can see why your worryed though, but if the neighbours aware your dog can & would kill maybe they need the shock treatment, make them more aware of your concerns , at least your showing them concideration Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fraggle 4 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 From what i can gather if the cat enters your property and your dogs attack it then it is the fault of the cat owner and not yours, if though the dogs got into her garden and had a munch on it then you would be held to blame. once the cat is free roaming out side of the owners property and enters yours then there is nothing she can do but winge and complain, end of the day cat chases mouse and dog chases cat. food chain. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The one 8,513 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Youv'e explained your worry's to her , it's her responcibilty now Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SportingShooter 0 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 The problem of Cats entering your property and domestic Cats in general is a very very grey area in law and a thorny one as you can imagine. The law states that a domestic cat is property i.e. it is owned and there is someone responsible for it. So from what I can see, you have informed the owner that there may be possible damage to her "property" and if she decides to take no action then that is her concern not yours. It is the same sort of issue where the killing of cats is involved. You are permitted to kill Feral Cats say if they are killing chickens or Game birds, but what defines and how can you tell a domestic cat from a feral one? So if they made the wrong identification the person would be in for it. As I say its a very Grey area but she has been forewarned about danger to her property and if she decides not to act again if you inform her that the cat may well be killed, then that should absolve you of any wrongdoing. Don't you just love unclear laws Regards SS Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gaz 284 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 (edited) Bill,i admire your consideration for your neighbours pet cat,theres a lot wouldnt give two hoots either way if their dogs nabbed it and i believe prob some would take a bit of pride in their dogs for doing so but personally speaking i think you have did your bit speaking and warning your neighbour about the outcome if the cat is allowed to run the gaunlet in your garden with your dogs,i wouldnt have thought you would face any convictions if the inevitable was to happen but to keep yourself right i would ask to speak to the desk sgt at your local cop shop and ask him for some advice about the matter and where you would stand if as you fear your dogs were to kill the cat,good luck pal Edited August 7, 2008 by gaz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mackem 27,868 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Civil-responsibility,civil-liability,surely the very fact that the neighbour has been warned and is aware of the dangers negates Bill from any blame should the cat meet an untimely demise? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bill88 6 Posted August 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Bill,i admire your consideration for your neighbours pet cat,theres a lot wouldnt give two hoots either way if their dogs nabbed it and i believe prob some would take a bit of pride in their dogs for doing so but personally speaking i think you have did your bit speaking and warning your neighbour about the outcome if the cat is allowed to run the gaunlet in your garden with your dogs,i wouldnt have thought you would face any convictions if the inevitable was to happen but to keep yourself right i would ask to speak to the desk sgt at your local cop shop and ask him for some advice about the matter and where you would stand if as you fear your dogs were to kill the cat,good luck pal Cheers for the advice Gaz,might be an idea speaking to the police.Dont really want tae make a song and dance about it,but the neighbour just seems a bit uninterested in my comments about what may happen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dawn B 212 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Nope Cat owners are NOT responsible for them, they can LEGALLY do as they please! However if you have told your neighbours of your concerns, then IMO you have done all you need to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest SHOT Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 I hear Lion shits good stuff bill if you can get your hands on any Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bill88 6 Posted August 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 I hear Lion shits good stuff bill if you can get your hands on any Cheers mate,i'll get meself down to the safari park with a shovel and bucket Quote Link to post Share on other sites
droid 11 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 I'd send/give the neighbour a written warning, and get them to sign a copy to prove they'd received it. Then, when the inevitable happens, you've got some proof you warned them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Coney 3 Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Youv'e explained your worry's to her , it's her responcibilty now Too right.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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