Dog got hold of neighbors cat

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...

My Dads saluki (softest and daftest dog ever lol I had no issues with him being around kids) had a barney with a smaller dog.
Smaller dog no leash, not responding to owner going for his legs, outcome was he had to pay the smaller dogs vet bills :confused:

I'd imagine something similar could easily happen if you were out n about and your dog attacked a cat.
 
~Divine~Wind~ said:
My Dads saluki (softest and daftest dog ever lol I had no issues with him being around kids) had a barney with a smaller dog.
Smaller dog no leash, not responding to owner going for his legs, outcome was he had to pay the smaller dogs vet bills :confused:

I'd imagine something similar could easily happen if you were out n about and your dog attacked a cat.
Click to expand...
Not sure tbh, I don't think our cats are legally classed in the same way as dogs.
 
Yeah not sure either really

From my understanding if a dog doesn't respond to a recall then really it shouldn't be off the lead.
The annoying thing for my dad was both his dogs normally had muzzles on when they were out :(
 
Learn something new every day.

"Criminal Damage Act 1971
If a person kills or injures a cat belonging to another person, they may have committed an offence under this act, because the law regards cats as property."

would that also apply via a person's dog I wonder.

www.gov.uk

Controlling your dog in public

You can be fined if your dog is out of control in public - find out about Dog Control Orders, banned dogs, dog fouling and reporting a dangerous dog
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
Specifically this bit.
"A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:

it attacks someone’s animal"

It suggests the above applies if you call your dog back and it doesn't listen it could be classed as out of control. But you'd have to prove that.
 
robj20 said:
Learn something new every day.

"Criminal Damage Act 1971
If a person kills or injures a cat belonging to another person, they may have committed an offence under this act, because the law regards cats as property."

would that also apply via a person's dog I wonder.

www.gov.uk

Controlling your dog in public

You can be fined if your dog is out of control in public - find out about Dog Control Orders, banned dogs, dog fouling and reporting a dangerous dog
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
Specifically this bit.
"A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply:

it attacks someone’s animal"

It suggests the above applies if you call your dog back and it doesn't listen it could be classed as out of control. But you'd have to prove that.
Click to expand...

His dog wasn't out in public, private property so pretty sure the above isn't applicable.
 
ArcticHeron said:
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.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a crap situation all around. If a cat can get into your garden, is it possible that your dog could get out?
 
Dis86 said:
His dog wasn't out in public, private property so pretty sure the above isn't applicable.
Click to expand...
Your right it's never ever been the case that when I dog attacks someone on private property it's okay. Also "It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control ANYWHERE, such as:"

"It is against the law to have a dog that is ‘dangerously out of control’, even on private property"
 
robj20 said:
Your right it's never ever been the case that when I dog attacks someone on private property it's okay. Also "It’s against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control ANYWHERE, such as:"

"It is against the law to have a dog that is ‘dangerously out of control’, even on private property"
Click to expand...

But it would be difficult to argue that was the case. The legislation quoted states public property. Yes it can be dangerously out of control but the threshold will be higher.


Dangerous Dog Offences | The Crown Prosecution Service

www.cps.gov.uk www.cps.gov.uk

Useful link
 
Last edited:
Dis86 said:
His dog wasn't out in public, private property so pretty sure the above isn't applicable.
Click to expand...


I would agree otherwise if damaging someone's property on your own private property made you liable then it would open a whole can of worms - for example I can just go dump/park my car on my neighbours front lawn and if they touch/damage it they are responsible for it?

Wouldn't make sense. So if someone's dog or cat comes onto your property you should not be responsible for any damages that occur while on your property
 
Last edited:
Grim5 said:
I would agree otherwise if damaging someone's property on your own private property made you liable then it would open a whole can of worms - for example I can go park my car on my neighbours front lawn and if they damage it they are responsible for it? Wouldn't make sense
Click to expand...

The cps link above makes it pretty clear I reckon. The list of animals that are covered is set out (it's basically livestock and other dogs) and it actually gives a pretty good example of saying trespassers are fair game, but those such as postmen aren't. The cat fails on both counts. It was not invited and isn't a listed animal.
 
Man. That's a sorry tale and one I'm sad to read OP.

As a current cat owner (who lets his cats roam free) and a previous dog owner (a pack of 3 largish terriers) I see both sides here. Dogs will be dogs and sometimes they kill things. Cats are, well, cats. They kill loads of things. Mine do anyway. I don't fancy any foxes chances with them either and there are loads of them around here.

I always thought that cats cease to be property the moment you let them outside. That they essentially then become wild. They're not like dogs where the owner is expected to be in control of them at all times (on their own property or not btw). This is why (I thought) you are obliged by law to stop if you hit a dog with a car, but not, if you hit a cat. There are often petitions to change this.

There was some talk (was it in Sweden??) where they were talking about fining cat owners for killing endangered birds. Not sure if it ever got going.
 
Last edited:
CaptainRAVE said:
That’s why I don’t let our cats out. That said, sounds like your dog shouldn’t be let out either, doesn’t sound particularly friendly.
Click to expand...

Its a greyhound they're usually very mild dogs but their prey drive is very strong its why they chase metal rabbits around tracks of course. They're also very fast and will take off before you know whats happening someone I used to know had a lurcher take down a deer in the same way it was all over in seconds.

inogen said:
I always thought that cats cease to be property the moment you let them outside. That they essentially then become wild. They're not like dogs where the owner is expected to be in control of them at all times (on their own property or not btw). This is why (I thought) you are obliged by law to stop if you hit a dog with a car, but not, if you hit a cat. There are often petitions to change this.
Click to expand...

Owners are responsible for dogs at all times so even if they get off the lead you can still be held responsible for their actions, cats are regarded as free roaming and so doesn't apply. That doesn't mean you can treat them however you like as killing or injuiring one deliberately falls under criminal damage. I don't think anyone believes for a moment this was intentional however
 
Last edited:
Yeah, one of my old dogs. Was a staffie mixed with a border terrier. Nice as pie, but would kill a rabbit as soon as see it. Used to skulk off into the woods to go and scrap with badgers. Lived in the countryside then though so all was okay. Sort of.

I'd be distraught if she'd killed a cat though. I really feel for you OP. It must have been, and still be awful.
 
Last edited:
inogen said:
Not really. Trespass is a civil disagreement at most. Intentional damage to someone's property is criminal damage regardless of perceived legitimacy.
Click to expand...

That's not correct. Trespass is civil at the least. Depending on the circumstances it is actually aggravated trespass which is a criminal matter. Something the police frequently need to be reminded of.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom