Neighbors' dogs attacked our cat. Are we being too harsh?

[Imzadi]

I'll admit, that was my first thought when I saw this thread. Dogs attack cats, cats attack mice, it's the circle of life. People keep mentioning children... Well, there is a big difference, to a dog, between a cat and child.

When I was a teen, we used to let our cat out... We (I knew, and assume my parents knew) there was a risk to the cat. He could get hit by a car, he could get attacked by a dog, or an evil goose or get hit by a golf ball (we lived on a golf course next to a lake), or any other number of things. Luckily, nothing happened to him and now that he is older, my father keeps him inside.

I don't think I would go after the neighbor. There is such a thing as responsibility. You let your cat out. You took the risk. The dog was being a dog...

Yes, it was like that while I was growing up, too. There were leash laws for dogs, but not very many people followed them in our neighborhood. Especially since the dogs were out playing in the yards with all the kids, (their owners.)

So, as it is out in the wild, where cats originally evolved from, it was cats fended for themselves. I've seen many a cat run up a tree, under a house, under a parked car, when chased by a dog or two and successfully escaped each time. They learned to know when a dog was after them. Dogs are incredibly noisy when they give chase. The cats always ran a good 5-10 ft ahead of the dog, and zip, up the tree. Dogs chasing cats was a normal thing. Cats in trees, looking supremely smug , was also a normal thing. Us, pulling the dogs away from the bottom of the trees and distracting them so they'd forget about the cat was also normal.

Some cats just gave the dogs a good swat on the nose & it was one less dog chasing them as the other dogs might have give chase to the cat.

I guess cats were heartier back then. When did they become snowflakes?

That being said, if my cat & I lived next door to two big, aggressive type dogs or coyotes, and knew it, I'd keep her inside, as dogs do tend to figure out how to escape - especially when they keep seeing dinner moving across a yard.

I say they are lucky the OP only wants compensation for the vet bills. I'd want two euthanized dogs.

It doesn't quite work that way in this area. Dogs, even aggressive ones, seem to be give a "three strikes and your out," type situation. They often aren't euthanized on the first offense, unless it was an extreme attack against a human or child. It was on the news how two big dogs did have a couple reports filed against them already for biting or being aggressive to people. One was by the neighbor, who the dogs already bit once.

This third time, she was coming home after work, putting he keys in the door, when the owner & the dogs came into the hallway, from out of their apartment. The dogs saw the neighbor, broke loose from their owner, when crazy and mauled the neighbor. The owner had tried to pull the dogs off, but she didn't have the strength to pull both dogs away. Plus she got hurt too. The neighbor later died in the hospital.

Unfortunately, these types of stories make our news as the dogs often have prior reports of attacks or biting against them, and nothing was done the first couple of times. There have been quite a few on the news.

To clear a few things up, I do not let my dogs attack anyone or any animals in my yard or in my home. I have dogs and cats with one cat outside. With that said I do not expect for someone to foot the bill for my cat if he goes into someone elses yard and gets attacked b/c he was NOT in his yard. On the other hand I refused to pay a mans medical bills b/c he was in my yard without me knowing he was there and took it upon himself to try to take my dog that was on my porch and in my little fence area instead of knocking on my door. She bit him b/c she felt threatened my him. For some reason he thought she was not mine and was going to take her to the dog catcher???

Sounds like the man was trying to steal your dog, and she knew it and defended herself. When he didn't get away with it, he changed his story to the dog catcher one.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I absolutely agree cats should be kept inside. I don't think mine would have made it to 19 if she'd been an indoor/outdoor cat. However, some posts here (not yours) seem to verge on "blaming the victim" and that's just wrong.

Had those dogs been kept on their property and not been allowed to get out, they could not have attacked another pet on its property. If the tables were turned and a roaming cat somehow managed to claw the crap out of a dog in its yard, then I'd say the cat owner needed to be responsible for that as well.

Growing up, we always let our cats outside. Never had any problems. All lived long, healthy lives and one lived to be 22 years old.

 

[Luvchefmic]

We haven't heard from them yet. I was just wondering people's opinions on whether or not even asking them to pay is acceptable.

Thanks that's all I wanted to know Good Luck Hope your fur baby is recovering

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

We were in a similar situation several years ago. A neighbor's german shepherd picked up our family dachshund (who was on a leash, being walked by my father) and shook him. Schnitzel almost died and we had some serious bills from that injury. My parents were in the same boat you are now.

Like your neighbors, ours were in complete denial about the control they had. They only let them out of the fence when they were in the yard with the dogs. Despite the fact these dogs ahd chased my father multiple times and 911 had to be called once when they cornered somebody who was walking. Despite that, the owners felt they had control. I really pushed for my parents to have them pay the bill. But in the end, they got rid of the dog and that was good enough for them. I still wish they would have had the neighbor pay, but at least the dogs are no longer a problem.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Yes, it was like that while I was growing up, too. There were leash laws for dogs, but not very many people followed them in our neighborhood. Especially since the dogs were out playing in the yards with all the kids, (their owners.)

So, as it is out in the wild, where cats originally evolved from, it was cats fended for themselves. I've seen many a cat run up a tree, under a house, under a parked car, when chased by a dog or two and successfully escaped each time. They learned to know when a dog was after them. Dogs are incredibly noisy when they give chase. The cats always ran a good 5-10 ft ahead of the dog, and zip, up the tree. Dogs chasing cats was a normal thing. Cats in trees, looking supremely smug , was also a normal thing. Us, pulling the dogs away from the bottom of the trees and distracting them so they'd forget about the cat was also normal.

Some cats just gave the dogs a good swat on the nose & it was one less dog chasing them as the other dogs might have give chase to the cat.

I guess cats were heartier back then. When did they become snowflakes?

That being said, if my cat & I lived next door to two big, aggressive type dogs or coyotes, and knew it, I'd keep her inside, as dogs do tend to figure out how to escape - especially when they keep seeing dinner moving across a yard.




It doesn't quite work that way in this area. Dogs, even aggressive ones, seem to be give a "three strikes and your out," type situation. They often aren't euthanized on the first offense, unless it was an extreme attack against a human or child. It was on the news how two big dogs did have a couple reports filed against them already for biting or being aggressive to people. One was by the neighbor, who the dogs already bit once.

This third time, she was coming home after work, putting he keys in the door, when the owner & the pit bulls came into the hallway, from out of their apartment. The dogs saw the neighbor, broke loose from their owner, when crazy and mauled the neighbor. The owner had tried to pull the dogs off, but she didn't have the strength to pull both dogs away. Plus she got hurt too. The neighbor later died in the hospital.

Unfortunately, these types of stories make our news as the dogs often have prior reports of attacks or biting against them, and nothing was done the first couple of times. There have been quite a few on the news.





Sounds like the man was trying to steal your dog, and she knew it and defended herself. When he didn't get away with it, he changed his story to the dog catcher one.

Wasn't this the case in California ? The dogs were NOT pit bulls they were
Presa Canarios...different breed

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/23/national/main4470287.shtml

 

[Imzadi]

No, it was in NYC. -- Err, actually I think that was the same news story. Odd, the news here made it sound like a local attack. But, I recognise the name of the victim.

 

[Luvchefmic]

No, it was in NYC.

Wow ! Sounds like same story..thanks

 

[Art 1]

Growing up, we always let our cats outside. Never had any problems. All lived long, healthy lives and one lived to be 22 years old.

Your neighbors may have been the one's with the problems having their cars scratched and all the other damage cats cause, not to mention the squirrels and bird they killed over the years. Cat owners should not let cats roam.

 

[whatcateydid]

Before I read your post I was expecting you to be considering reporting the dogs with the possibility of getting them euthanised or something like that. It's definitely not too harsh to ask your neighbours to pay for the vet bills. I hope your cat gets better soon, it's so horrible to see them in pain!

 

[torinsmom]

I think its reasonable to ask them to pay the vet bills. Their dogs should not have been allowed to roam free where they could hurt another pet.

We had negligent neighbors with 2 pits until a few months ago. My life has been much less stressed since they left! They had their dogs behind a 4 foot tall picket fence and they would jump it when they felt like it. They were NOT nice dogs, and challenged anyone they encountered. I saw them almost kill a little white dog one day, the owner had to pick up the dog and run! They would come over onto my property and try to get to my dog, who was inside the same type of fence(he doesn't even try to get out). It was very scary taking my dog for a walk--I would always take a large "walking stick" with me, in case they got out while we were walking. Animal control was called over and over, and I guess the fines finally got too much for the renters. Now, the new renters have three little tiny dogs. Much better!

I don't have anything against pit bulls; my next door neighbor has 2 they keep inside unless they are home. They are big babies!

Marsha

 

[Mermaid02]

If that's true, how is it not equally an example that dogs should be kept inside too? Personally, I think it's cruel to keep a cat cooped up inside all the time. They are an animal that is by nature inclined to be outdoors, just like dogs. Uh oh though...now I've started a debate. Sorry!

You can let your cat out- tie her out and watch her to make sure no predators come into your yard. Our neighbors do this. I have NEVER heard of a vet who recommended letting your cat roam. By the way- you realize your cat is defecating in the neighbors yard- peeing all over the place, killing song birds, rabbits, moles etc. And don't hand me the "cats bury their feces" because although it's true, they usually bury them in sandboxes and flower gardens.

Your neighbors may have been the one's with the problems having their cars scratched and all the other damage cats cause, not to mention the squirrels and bird they killed over the years. Cat owners should not let cats roam.

Agreed Art!

 

[luvmy3]

I would definitely ask them to pay. If your town doesn't have a leash law regarding cats then you have the legal right to let your cat roam free. It doesn't matter whether you should or not for the various reasons listed here, its still legal for you to so. Most towns have leash laws regarding dogs, and if yours does then the dog owner should have to assume all responsibilty for their dog attacking another animal outside of their property line. Good luck and I hope your kitty recovers quickly

 

[lovin diz]

I would ask them to pay 1/2 of the bill. In your original post you mention that the dogs have been agressive to people before. They need a wakeup call. BUt since you really dont know if your cat went over on their property first, I would truly just ask for 1/2. If they own the property, i would think that homeowners would pay for it...I know a question ins companies ask us is if we have pits...The premium increases if we do. GOod luck whatever you decide...

 

[Mermaid02]

I would ask them to pay 1/2 of the bill. In your original post you mention that the dogs have been agressive to people before. They need a wakeup call. BUt since you really dont know if your cat went over on their property first, I would truly just ask for 1/2. If they own the property, i would think that homeowners would pay for it...I know a question ins companies ask us is if we have pits...The premium increases if we do. GOod luck whatever you decide...

 

[ForAandA]

Without getting into a debate of pit bulls being aggresive (which they usually aren't), cats remaining indoors (which is unnatural for them as well, and I have an indoor cat), or fencing a yard or not (it'stheir money, their choice), let's look at the OP's question:

Yes, the dog owner should pay. It will probably be covered by their homeowner's insurance. Should you take them to court? Would they take YOU to court if it were the other way around? Probably . You are not out of line, you aren't asking for pain & suffering, or for the dogs to be put down.

Good luck!

 

[lovesmurfs]

A little late to the party, but I definitely agree they should pay the bills, without complaint. It should be a wake up call to them, because it could just as easily been a child. This is one of the responsibilities we have as pet owners. Yes, accidents happen -- my dog escapes occasionally when we open the back gate without thinking -- but I'm responsible for the actions of my pet.

Would this incident be covered under their homeowner's liability insurance or is it just limited to people?

 

[Mermaid02]

I dont' really understand why the OP put the breed of dog in the post- it's irrelevant EXCEPT the breed has a tendency to make people nervous. I think if it had been another breed less of the post would mention "could have been a child" and would be more, "dogs chase cats".

I do think the neighbors should offer to pay half of the bill.

 

[mhsjax]

I may be biased here but I think they should pay at least half if not all.

The other night I was in my front yard with my little dog on his leash. My neighbor yelled at me to be careful of the big dog. I laughed because I thought he was tlaking about his own dog, (my dog and his dog are playmates) Anyway, he kept saying I am serious please be careful, he is getting closer. Just as he said that, the dog moved under the streetlight, and I saw him staring at my dog and creeping towards him. I yanked him up and went back inside.

The owner showed up, and I spoke with my neighbor later and he told me that this is the second time these dogs have gotten out. The dig under the electric fence. One is very aggressive and the other follows. They have attacked a cat last week.

Needless to say, I am not a real fan of people that can't control their dogs. We have a few people here in the neighborhood that let their cats out, and even the dog lovers around here get really upset if a dog attacks a cat.

 

[RadioFanatic]

Yes, the dogs were on our property.

then you have every right to get repaid. If you have to sue, get your neighbor who was trapped on her property to testify because you need to know your neighbors had knowledge of their dogs' vicious propensities - the fact that they are pit bulls is not enough to prove that. good luck!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

To those who keep saying, over and over, that this is why cats should be kept inside - we talked about this with our vet. His stance - cats seem to be much happier if they are allowed to roam, but they generally live shorter lives. So, happiness vs. longevity.

We let our cats decide. To date, every one has decided to come outside with us. A house is no more than a large cage to a cat. Also, some of our cats have lived nearly 20 years, so it doesn't always have the horrible impact on longevity that studies indicate.

I am not criticizing the decisions of those who decide to keep their cats indoors, but would appreciate the same courtesy from them for our decision not to do so.