Am I Wrong !!!!

[MICKEY88]

A few months ago I nicely asked my neighbor to please keep her cat out of my yard, since I'm highly allergic to cats, she said she was too and laughed..
Since then I've had to dispose of several dead birds the cat has deposited on my patio..I've had to chase it out of my house twice[ it ran in the basement door while I was working outside]..it is constanly walking all over my picnic table,,I've had to chase it out of my tomato garden numerous times..

so yesterday I asked if she remembered my request..she said yes..I then told her of the above eventd snd told her that if she didn't keep her cat out of my yard..I would do something about it..

today her husband confronted me and asked what I said to his wife..I repeated the story and he said ..well the way You are, I thought you were threatening to poison it..I reassured him that I would never do such a thing..anything I would do would be within the law...or involving the law...

I then asked him to explain his comment about the way I am..

he told me to drop it...I asked again and he told me to shut up and went in his house...

Am I wrong to think it's their responsibility to confine their cat...?


and to think if he's going to make a harsh statement about someone he should explain his comment,,?

we've been neighbors for 4 years and have always been friendly to one another...

sorry for the lengthy post...

 

[Tony-NJ]

Our neighbor has 2 cats and they are always hanging out in my yard / flowers etc. Although it doesn't bother me. I have lots of Ground cover and mice like to live in there. So I'd rather the cats get them before I have to have one run by me - then I'll have a heart attack!! Chris is allergic to cats too - but I guess cause they're outside - it doesn't bother him.

I understand your upset - but what can your neighbor do accept keep the kitty in the house?

 

[Otimon]

Sorry to hear what happened with your neighbors. No, you are not worng to feel the way you do and it is absolutely their responsibility to control their cat.

Does your community have a leash law? I believe most pertain to cats as well as dogs. I know ours does. You might consider asking some of your other neighbors if they, too, have had the same problems with that cat. You could then contact the pet control office in your community as part of a group with the same problem and let them speak with your neighbor.

As for the neighbor's remarks, heaven only knows what he was thinking. Would not worry about that and chalk it up as his having a bad day. After all, he has to live with that lady!

Good luck.

 

[dtuleya]

Originally posted by Tony-NJ
I understand your upset - but what can your neighbor do accept keep the kitty in the house?

I own a dog and if I let him loose at night to roam the neighborhood I'm sure my neighbors wouldn't be too happy about it. Where does it say that cats are not expected to be confined to a house (unless living on a farm)??

I feel the OP has a right to be upset. I would call the animal control officer if things don't improve. The hard thing to prove would be that the dead animals are actually coming from that cat.

 

[999thghost]

Fierst of all id say you have found yourself a new neighborhood enemy.so its time to take the gloves off and do something.any garden store sells dog and cat repellent that works great. the cat gets a whiff of this stuff and will figure out that theres better places to stay.these items do not harm the cat. second i would place a complaint with your town animal control.third of all id break all contact with these people next door. sounds to me like the husband is a real peice of work. worst comes to worst you can tell them your buying a elephant and theres no way youll be able to control him

 

[Tony-NJ]

I wasn't being a wise a** - I just have never seen a cat on a leash and have always seen cats hang out in the neighborhood's that I've lived in. I too wouldn't be happy if the cat was ruining my garden. And I think you should take 999thghost's advise - get an elephant

 

[dtuleya]

Sorry Tony, didn't think you were trying to be a wise a**, and I apologize if I sounded like one. Guess you hit on a sore spot with me regarding my neighbors. I learned a hard lesson a year or so ago with my neighbors who I thought were friends. No offense intended.

 

[CamColt]

You are totally right!
Its your property and their pet. There is no reason they shouldnt be responsible for it and if they cant be, they should get rid of it. No reason it cant be kept in the house, I know plenty of people who do that with their cats.
We have neighbors who let their dog and cat roam the neighborhood. They are very nice people and we dont complain(our kids love seeing them anyway), but I have to admit I get pretty ticked when I see little mud prints on my car or the dog jumps on me(Im allergic) or my kids.

 

[AnnMorin]

That would sure take care of a cat...
I am having my own major neighbor problems but I think you are being MORE than reasonable.. maybe you could get a dog? that would certainly take care of a cat problem., or start to spray it with the hose? Don't have a solution but lots of sympathy! {{hugs}} Ann

 

[S. C.]

many many years ago LOL, when our daughter was in 6th grade she was walking home from school & rescued a kitten that a bunch of little kids (2nd or 3rd grade) were being mean to. We tried but couln't find out who she belonged to. So you guessed it she was then ours.
We owned a doberman who lived in a fenced yard but liked to have cats for lunch. We trained the kitten to a collar & very lightwieght rope so that she could be outside while we sat on the porch. Worked out great. & since we trained her to it as a kitten she didn't seem to mind.
We eventually trained the dog not to harm this particular cat, he wasn't happy about it but never hurt her.

 

[Harambe]

I am a cat lover - but you are 100% in the right about the cat coming into your yard.

I know you probably don't see the cat come in your yard every time - but what I would do is wet it with a garden hose (not hurting it, of course). Cats hate water. After a few of these drenchings, it will find other places to roam.

 

[Beauty]

Believe me I understand....having 8 cats...LOL!

But mine are stricly inside cats. If my one "Sneak" (shes 8 and has tried to run out since she was a baby) gets out then I'm right behind her. Sometimes I'll walk out with her but she stays strictly in my yard and eats grass. There is absolutly NO going outside alone PERIOD!

Our next door neighbor has a cat who she lets out in the morning and afternoon and he comes into our yard and the other neighbors but it doesn't bother any of us since we are all animal lovers.

I would really try as hard as possible to work it out with them yourself. I understand the frustration but if you get the law involved its just going to get worse and if you are going to be neighbors with them forever (or a long time) then I would try my best to work it out one on one.

 

[MICKEY88]

thanks for all the advice...unfortunately I don't think it's going to be possible to work it out with them..he also told me they've lived there longer than I have so I have to accept it...


I might buy a super soaker and keep it loaded...LOL

 

[Gone Disney]

Well, I'm not sure having lived there longer will actually hold up in court.

As a cat owner, we are responsible for what our cats do. I'd think this would be law everywhere but you can call and ask. Also where I live you have to keep your cats confined to your property. I would say your neighbors are aware that they are responsible and want to scare you into being quiet.

How long have they had the cat? Was it an inside cat before? What changed? I could understand them being upset if you were fine with the cat for 4 yrs and now all of a sudden the cat has to go.

I was told that if you sprinkle Hot Sauce around that would keep cats away. Never tried it so I don't know for sure.


I do know cats are a menace, I have 3, and I will not allow them in my garage for anything. So , I do understand your aggravation. BTW I am seriously allergic to one of them. The ladies at the vet's office just think it is funny when I come in all sneezing and with red itchy eyes. Of course I forget about he allergy until I get to holding her and there I go.

Patti.

 

[MICKEY88]

Originally posted by Gone Disney
Well, I'm not sure having lived there longer will actually hold up in court.

As a cat owner, we are responsible for what our cats do. I'd think this would be law everywhere but you can call and ask. Also where I live you have to keep your cats confined to your property. I would say your neighbors are aware that they are responsible and want to scare you into being quiet.

How long have they had the cat? Was it an inside cat before? What changed? I could understand them being upset if you were fine with the cat for 4 yrs and now all of a sudden the cat has to go.

I was told that if you sprinkle Hot Sauce around that would keep cats away. Never tried it so I don't know for sure.


I do know cats are a menace, I have 3, and I will not allow them in my garage for anything. So , I do understand your aggravation. BTW I am seriously allergic to one of them. The ladies at the vet's office just think it is funny when I come in all sneezing and with red itchy eyes. Of course I forget about he allergy until I get to holding her and there I go.

Patti.

they either just got the cat or just put it outside within the past 6-8 months...I never saw it prior to that..if it just cut walked thru my yard I'd probably let it slide..but messing with the garden...walking around on the picnic table..curling up on my porch furniture..these things crossed the line..I never sai d the cat had to go....I just don't want it in my yard..

 

[WishingStar]

IMHO, cats should not be able to roam freely. I have one cat, Belle, and she is strictly indoors. She has never made it farther than the front porch. Of course there may be an occasion when a cat will slink out unnoticed, fortunately my Belle is a big chicken scared of the great outdoors. Anyhow I think it's dangerous other animals may have rabies or the threat of getting hit by a car. I would call animal control the next time you are bothered. As far as how long you have lived there as long as you are paying rent, mortgage, taxes whatever it may be that is your property and they should respect that.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by MICKEY88
I might buy a super soaker and keep it loaded...LOL

I have had cats for 30yrs of my life. I think the Super Soaker is a great idea! I would not want my neighbors cat all over my stuff either.

 

[MICKEY88]

this whole thing is a tuff situation, I hate fighting with people, I don't like it when people are upset with me, but I also refuse to be bullied, my neighbor is a rather large prison guard.so I think he expects me to be intimidated...

 

[Gone Disney]

Originally posted by MICKEY88
my neighbor is a rather large prison guard.so I think he expects me to be intimidated...

My DH and I were going to buy a piece of land, we even made an offer adn were about to sign when we had an encounter withthe neighbor. Ruined the whole deal. He was a retired prison gaurd, I feel your pain if they are anything alike and I think they are.

As for your problem I would make it very uncomfortable for the cat. Super Soaker is great or anything else that will just annoy the cat. As with kids you have to consistant or the cat won't get the big picture. Put straw or mulch down in your garden if he is using the bathroom in it, this will stop that. I have raised beds inmy yard and have used fencing which wasn't as successful as the straw. Make sure there is no water or food left out for the cat to get to, that is a number 1 problem. For the furniture put things on it so he can not lay in it. If you take away what he wants he'll go away, usually. If none of this works call animal control. But be prepared for a little retaliation from the neighbor if you call the cops on his precious kitty.

DH brought home a kitten some years ago. This cat was horrible. He was pure black so I waited until just after Halloween and I put the cat outside. I just could not tolerate him in my house anymore. He left without me doing anything to him. About 8 months later he came back, although he was much bigger I could tell it was him. He has been with us ever since. Where he was I do not know but he is a changed kitty.

Hope things work out for you.

Patti

 

[Rajah]

Unfortunately, people who let their cats run free outdoors *can't* control them like people who let their dogs out in the back yard.

IMHO, all cats should be kept indoors.