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

[Colleen27]

I'm still not clear if there is a fence. If so, what kind?

My personal opinion? No fence = no liability. Animals don't recognize "property lines".

A 4 ft. chain link fence? Still no liability, as most cats & any motivated muscular dogs can jump it, ensuring no safety.

A 6 ft. solid board fence? You might have a case.

That's absolutely ridiculous. You're basically saying the dog owners can't be expected to contain their dogs so it is everyone else's responsibility to keep them out. Animals may not recognize property lines, but their owners should and should control their pets accordingly.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

That's absolutely ridiculous. You're basically saying the dog owners can't be expected to contain their dogs so it is everyone else's responsibility to keep them out. Animals may not recognize property lines, but their owners should and should control their pets accordingly.

 

[pixiewings71]

OP yes, you should expect your neighbor's to pay your vet bills. About 4 years ago our cat was killed by our neighbor's pit, our cat was in our yard under our tree, their dog was out with no leash and NO training, he saw our cat and ran into our yard, chased her across the street into another neighbor's yard and where she tried to climb the tree, unfortunately the dog was faster and he caught her. He literally crushed her to death. We rushed her to the emergency clinic but she died on the way, when we got there they took her back and the vet came out and asked if she had been run over by a car, I said "no, it was our neighbor's pit bull" and she said "I'm calling animal control, you need to do the same. I'm sorry for your loss, she was a beautiful kitty" and she was. We did call animal control and report the incident, we did go to a dangerous dog hearing and the dog was deemed dangerous. The owners were allowed to bring him home but they had to have a $1 million dollar home owners policy (which they couldn't get when the ins. companies found out why they needed it), they had to build an enclosure to keep him fenced at all times and they had to do a bunch of other things. The dog came home for about 2 weeks and then he was gone. I don't know what they did with him, I think they gave him to someone else. In the time period between the dog killing my cat and the hearing the dog was released to their custody but he was able to jump the 6 foot fence to get out, he chased me and DBF many times, it got to where we didn't let the girls go outside at all until we made sure that dog was in their yard and then we hustled to the car to leave. He was scary!!!!! He was NOT a nice dog. I was so relieved when he was gone.

Now they have another one and this one is not nice either. At least this one stays fenced tho.

OP I did not ask them to pay the bill I was hit with for our visit to the emergency vet (yes, even tho she was gone when we got there I still had to pay them), all I asked was for them to get rid of the dog or have him put down.....I was so worried about my girls getting attacked by that dog. I used the bill as a bargaining chip, told them I would forget the bill if they would get rid of the dog. Now I don't know if they did that because that's what I asked but I do know they only had him for a couple of weeks before he was gone.

I have 2 cats and 2 dogs, if my dogs bit someone or attacked someone's pet I would absolutely offer to pay the bills.....

 

[C.Ann]

I can't remember where I left off reading last night, but didn't the OP state several times that her cat was in her yard? If so, I don't understand why this thread is still going on and on in regards to when it's okay for dogs to attack and when it isn't..

 

[Luvchefmic]

I can't remember where I left off reading last night, but didn't the OP state several times that her cat was in her yard? If so, I don't understand why this thread is still going on and on in regards to when it's okay for dogs to attack and when it isn't..

I'm right there with you because this type of thread NEVER just answers an OPs question...it ends up going into horror stories of particular breeds, cats in vs cat out fences (all types) and on & on...I readily admit I get sucked into the "arguments" too...I would just like to know, where does the OP stand with the neighbor...& like you I don't know where I left off (who needs Reality Shows..we have the community boards ;-) )

 

[dzorn]

It certainly is legal to allow a cat to roam free. It is not legal for dogs to roam free, so 100% from the neighbors should be expected.

To avoid future attacks, or cat pancake in the road though, keep those cats indoors! Give them a screened window or door to enjoy the fresh air.

In many places it is illegal to let your cat roam just as it is for dogs.

OP hope your kitty is doing better.

Denise in MI

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I can't remember where I left off reading last night, but didn't the OP state several times that her cat was in her yard? If so, I don't understand why this thread is still going on and on in regards to when it's okay for dogs to attack and when it isn't..

Thanks--I missed that when I was reading thru the thread today....yes, the OP did state that the dogs came onto their property.

 

[cm8]

I'm right there with you because this type of thread NEVER just answers an OPs question...it ends up going into horror stories of particular breeds, cats in vs cat out fences (all types) and on & on...I readily admit I get sucked into the "arguments" too...I would just like to know, where does the OP stand with the neighbor...& like you I don't know where I left off (who needs Reality Shows..we have the community boards ;-) )

 

[horseshowmom]

I can't remember where I left off reading last night, but didn't the OP state several times that her cat was in her yard? If so, I don't understand why this thread is still going on and on in regards to when it's okay for dogs to attack and when it isn't..

I agree completely.

Personally, I've got dogs and cats.The cat was on the owner's property (regardless of whether there was a fence or not). The dog owners are responsible for the vet bills (and I agree with the poster who said they should be very relieved your cat wasn't killed). They had NO business off their own property (definitely irresponsible owners).

If the cat had been on the dog's property, I would say the cat owner was responsible for the bills for the same reason I stated above.

 

[denisem]

That's absolutely ridiculous. You're basically saying the dog owners can't be expected to contain their dogs so it is everyone else's responsibility to keep them out. Animals may not recognize property lines, but their owners should and should control their pets accordingly.

Yeah, I'm basically saying that. Quoting the OP:

"HOWEVER, while they are good people, they are very ignorant about keeping their dogs under control. The dogs have been loose before on another neighbors deck and they growled at her when she tried to open her door. They leave them out all day long, not letting them in until it gets dark and they have a very small yard."

Evidently these neighbors don't control their pets. If one is reluctant to confront their neighbors beforehand, then protect your pets to the best of your ability.

Hey, I'm older than dirt, grew up on a farm where everything ran free on acreage. Ain't that way anymore. Adjust. I'm sure my sweetie-pie neighbor retriever/shepherd mix would LOVE to chase our bengals if they met...but he's restrained, our cats are inside.

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

Never known of a cat to scratch a car by hiding UNDER it

You feel cat owners should not let cats roam and are entitled to your opinion. On the other hand, many/most communities legislate that dogs must be restrained. It's the law, not merely an opinion.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I was attacked by a feral cat while walking my dog once... the cat jumped on my dog's back out of nowhere (he was on leash---we were taking a walk) and a fight ensued... I go to kick the cat to get it off my dog, then the thing wrapped its arms and legs around my calf and bit the heck out of my calf...and scratched right through my exercise pants... I ran home with blood dripping down my leg and called animal control---my dog had some scratches, too---though not as apparent under the fur. I met animal control outside of the apmt. complex where I had been attacked... as it turns out, the cat had just birthed a litter of kittens---some random person had been feeding the cat outside. The animal control guy took the cat and her kittens to the shelter---but they watched the mom for signs of rabies. Thank goodness she was negative. I probably could've made a stink at the person who lived at the apartment complex who was feeding the thing, but the cat was just protecting her babies....I hope they all found homes and got adopted out. My dog still hates cats, squirrels, chipmunks and motorcycles.

 

[Sparx]

Never known of a cat to scratch a car by hiding UNDER it

You feel cat owners should not let cats roam and are entitled to your opinion. On the other hand, many/most communities legislate that dogs must be restrained. It's the law, not merely an opinion.

I live in an apartment complex and one lady has outside cats. I've seen them sitting ON my car many times. Maybe that poster was talking about cats scratching the paint on cars?

 

[luvmy3]

I live in an apartment complex and one lady has outside cats. I've seen them sitting ON my car many times. Maybe that poster was talking about cats scratching the paint on cars?

Thats what I assumed, those back claws can do damage when a cat jumps. My armoire has plenty of evidence of that

 

[Jennasis]

Never known of a cat to scratch a car by hiding UNDER it

You feel cat owners should not let cats roam and are entitled to your opinion. On the other hand, many/most communities legislate that dogs must be restrained. It's the law, not merely an opinion.

I think the real danger for "unrestrained" cats (letting them roam) is for the cats...not society. Cats can be attacked by other animals, chased/threatened/abused by neighborhood kids, run over by cars etc.

That said, I have three cats who live exclusively outdoors. They are barn cats.

 

[cheermom1]

I think the real danger for "unrestrained" cats (letting them roam) is for the cats...not society. Cats can be attacked by other animals, chased/threatened/abused by neighborhood kids, run over by cars etc.

That said, I have three cats who live exclusively outdoors. They are barn cats.

I do agree that the most danger for them is to be outside is the that they can die or get hurt by those things. However my cars have a lot of damage from my neighbors cats and I know they are the ones doing it as I have seen them.