Dog got hold of neighbors cat

ArcticHeron

ArcticHeron

ArcticHeron

Associate
Joined
5 Oct 2022
Posts
1,157
Location
Brum town
Went to let my greyhound outside this morning and he bolted straight up the garden after hearing a meow. Unfortunately the cat didn't see what was coming and must have just frozen up. Dog got hold of it and did what dogs do, brought it straight to me and dropped it. Poor little thing passed away as I stroked it. Got very upset about it to be honest,

We weren't sure who's it might have been as several neighbors have similar looking cats. Took it straight to the vets to check for a chip but sadly not registered. Unfortunately phoned one of our close neighbors and they confirmed it was there's. Wife was very, very upset understandably and the husband was very understanding. We're going to chat about it tonight when we're back from work.

Feel completely and utterly awful about the situation. I know it's no ones fault, but if I'd just have checked outside first maybe it wouldn't have happened. He's chased cats off in the garden before and him being a sighthound I knew full well what might happen if he where to catch one, but on this occasion I just didn't think to check.

Obviously will offer to cover the costs for cremation and the like as I don't think the poor thing was insured but still. Don't think there's any amount of words or money or gesture that will be enough to help them feel better.
 
Last edited:
Sorry to hear...

I ran over and killed a cat only a few houses away from my work a few years ago and i still remember how bad i felt about it for ages as i was also a cat owner at the time.
 
Last edited:
I hope you've got your flame suit on, you're in for a world of "ehrmahgehrd you need to control yer dahgs" nonsense on here.

These things happen sadly, I've been on both ends of this situation and it's never pleasant. Hopefully you can find the owner and resolve it amicably, all the best.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
As a cat owner is the risk you take by letting them out which is why we don't with ours.
What with cars, fox's and dogs it's not worth the risk.
I think your doing a nice thing by offering to pay for the cremation.
 
Neighbour's dog killed my cat a few years ago.
It really helped that they called immediately they found him, and took the time to look after him and treat him with a bit of dignity. I did not ask nor expect them to contribute at all to any expenses but I am sure they will appreciate the sentiment.
Couldn't blame them at all, and didn't - cats and dogs are cats and dogs and will do what they do. I hope you find a bit of peace - it's not a nice feeling at all.
 
Last edited:
Your home insurance may cover any costs - not your first concern obviously but might be worth checking in case the neighbours decide to take things further!
 
StevieP said:
Your home insurance may cover any costs - not your first concern obviously but might be worth checking in case the neighbours decide to take things further!
Click to expand...
They can't take things further.
Its totally on the cat owner if they let it out, unless they could some how prove you did it on purpose.
From memory cat cremation was around the £150 tops mark.
 
Last edited:
Trying to think how I'd feel if my cat was killed by a dog while marauding in that dog's garden.

Obviously I'd be gutted but in terms of anger and blame, it's hard to say until it actually happens. But there is certainly a big element of, if it goes trespassing then you have to expect it to run into trouble.
 
robj20 said:
They can't take things further.
Its totally on the cat owner if they let it out, unless they could some how prove you did it on purpose.
From memory cat cremation was around the £150 tops mark.
Click to expand...

Fair play, I've never had a dog attack another animal before but have dealt with a few instances of nipping or biting people and as long as the dog isn't on the list of dangerous dogs, the liability has been picked up under the Public Liability section on home insurance!
 
We've been training out his prey drive since we got him form the shelter about a year and a half ago. Where he once used to try to get at cats across the road, he now almost completely ignores them, same with smaller dogs.

Such an awful situation. The thing that keeps coming into my head was how guilty my dog looked. He dropped it straight at my feet then lay down next to me shaking as I tried to comfort the cat. Probably just his adrenaline and I'm projecting, but my partner keeps messaging me saying how down he looks and refuses to eat his breakfast and go for a walk.
 
That must have been a bit shocking when it happened, and can imagine being upset.

Not your fault at all in my book though, and I wouldn't feel the need to cover cremation costs - the cat was in your garden after all. Sounds like you did everything right, tried to comfort the cat, taking it to the vet and ringing the neighbours etc.

Edit: just don't be too hard on yourself, am sure you'll be a bit shaken up for a while but it's just one of those things that life throws at you.
 
Last edited:
robj20 said:
As a cat owner is the risk you take by letting them out which is why we don't with ours.
What with cars, fox's and dogs it's not worth the risk.
I think your doing a nice thing by offering to pay for the cremation.
Click to expand...

Do tell me more about fox's hunting cats....

We have loads here and not one of the neighbours cats has been touched by one, hell even had one of them and fox sat not far apart on the wildlife trap cam near the pond.
 
It's sad, but it's not on you. At least the cat owner is getting some compassion, which is more than the baby mice and birds would have received once the cat was finished with their parents.

The point being, they're animals and they did what animals do.
 
I'd be devastated if it was my cat but your dog in your garden, nothing much you can do about it.

I don't think there's anymore you can do TBH. In fact it sounds like you did far more than many people would.

Sounds like your dog seems a bit confused, probably did what came naturally and brought you the kill but didn't get the response it expected. Bit tricky when you're trying to train the kill instinct out of him.
 
Absolutely awful but as a cat owner who goes mad at people walking past the house with their dogs off the lead, it wasn't your fault. You can't be expected to check your own garden every time you let the dog out.
 
Last edited:
Diddums said:
I hope you've got your flame suit on, you're in for a world of "ehrmahgehrd you need to control yer dahgs" nonsense on here.

These things happen sadly, I've been on both ends of this situation and it's never pleasant. Hopefully you can find the owner and resolve it amicably, all the best.
Click to expand...

Really? out of control dogs in public is one thing, but I think most people would find it reasonable for people to let their dogs into their own back gardens without fully checking them first.

A lot of people even have dog flaps that lets the dog freely come and go in the garden.

OP isn't at fault, the cat was in the wrong place at the wrong time sadly.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Diddums said:
I hope you've got your flame suit on, you're in for a world of "ehrmahgehrd you need to control yer dahgs" nonsense on here.
Click to expand...
Think you can put that flame suit back in the cupboard. Dog in its own garden, it's just really unfortunate.

Now if you want to talk about dog handling in public, that's a different matter, don that thing right now ;)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom