| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 559.1 | | SUBURB::THOMASH | The Devon Dumpling | Thu Jul 01 1993 07:48 | 20 |
|
This wouldn't do you any good in the UK, people cannot be held
responsible for what cats do. (dogs yes, cats no).
Before you go to all this hastle and expense, I would check on the
legal position in the US.
And what would you do if she turned around and said it wasn't her cat,
just a stray that came round that she's taking care of until it goes
back home?
I think the neighbour has a point, what can she do...one suggestion
would be for her to plant some catnip in her back garden, to keep the
cat attracted to her land, why not try asking her?
There are many products you can use to deter cats, you can also try
using citrous smells.......lemon juice?
Also, cats hate water, if you give them a quick spray when it comes into
your land, it could be put off quite quickly.
Heather
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| 559.2 | | MR4DEC::LPIERCE | HELLO....AGAIN | Thu Jul 01 1993 11:04 | 14 |
|
I have stated to video tape her cat in my boat and all the little
prsents it leaves behind. So I will have proof she can see for her
self.
I have tried for 1yr to get the cat to stop going in the boat.
Everytime I see it, I squirt it w/ the hose and yell at it.
This cat is weird. I've never meet a weirder cat in my life. It will
sit on its own poarch until it see's my cat or dog.. then it will
leep out 6ft and drop down 5ft to run over and attack my animals. It
also rips open my trash and reaks havoc in my garden.
lkp
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| 559.3 | | POWDML::MANDILE | Fleece us, we're sheep | Thu Jul 01 1993 11:34 | 6 |
|
Is the boat covered? Try covering the boat, and hanging
moth balls in little nylon bags (use the leg from a pair
of worn pantyhose) all around under the cover.
Or, flip the boat upside down, so the bottom is up....
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| 559.4 | it was covered | MR4DEC::LPIERCE | HELLO....AGAIN | Thu Jul 01 1993 12:44 | 8 |
|
The boat was covered. The cat riped opent the moring cover! We
now have to replace the moring cover..another cost of over $300.00
(the cover was custom made) I can't hang mothballs arond the boat
(the dogs love em') but that was a good idea.. I think I will put
moths balls inside the rubbish cans.
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| 559.5 | | JULIET::CORDES_JA | Four Tigers on my Couch | Thu Jul 01 1993 12:52 | 5 |
| Since Karen Kolling is no longer here to do it, I'll take up
the flag and caution against using moth balls. They can be
toxic to the cat.
Jan
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| 559.6 | | POWDML::MANDILE | Fleece us, we're sheep | Thu Jul 01 1993 13:42 | 4 |
|
I meant for you to hang the mothballs in the nylon nets INSIDE
the covered boat. This trick is used at the yaughtclubs to keep
the seagulls away....
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| 559.7 | Help with the trash | VIDEO::BENOIT | | Thu Jul 01 1993 13:56 | 15 |
|
I find approx. 1 tablespoon of household amonia inside
my plastic gardage bags, tie bags tight so it doesn't disperse,
keeps ALL four legged critters out of my trash. It doesn't hurt
the cat since the cat has the option to back off.
No real help on the other problems except the usual odor mute/
nature's miracle to remove the "this is the place smell" . Maybe
an auto motion alarm to go off when kitty disturbs the boat cover?
Negative reinforcement so to speak even when you're not there.
I've three cats (and a dog) and if you don't catch them 90%
of the time they don't get the point.
God Luck -Pat
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| 559.8 | branches in the way | PARITY::DENISE | And may the traffic be with you | Thu Jul 01 1993 18:11 | 14 |
| I know this sounds quite strange, but it worked very well for a
neighbor with the same problem. He was out pruning some hedges one
day (prickly ones at that) and the offending animal came and did its
business in his boat. He suddenly had the idea to pile all those
hedge clippings prickles and all into the boat. Well, the next time
that animal tried to come in there, he was in for a surprise!
Never did come back.....
Don't know what kind of shrub they were, might have been roses or
something, the branches were good size, he actually could readily
lift them out when he took the boat out.......
its a thought anyway.....
Denise
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| 559.9 | | MAGEE::MERRITT | Kitty City | Fri Jul 02 1993 06:52 | 19 |
| Obviously the person who owns the cat doesn't take very good
care of it!! That cat sounds like a stray cat that is starving
(picking through rubbish) and defending what he believes is his
territory (your boat..sigh). Does this lady feed the cat...does
the cat live outside...is he neutered...does she even care what
happens to the cat??
Another option would be to find the cat a new home!! This would
take alot of extra work on your part...because you would have vet
bills and it is pretty difficult finding an older cat a home and
most all no-kill shelters are full. But...with some work/money the
cat would be better off and you could have your boat back.
Sandy
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| 559.10 | | UPROAR::IME635::EVANSG | Gwyn Evans @IME (769-8109) | Fri Jul 02 1993 07:23 | 6 |
| One method that I've heard of is to rig-up an infra-red detector,
connected to one of these battery powered water-rifles (powered by a
adaptor switched by the detector. It's a reasonable bit of work but
may work!
Maybe provide the cat with some food/shelter in an area where you
don't mind it being, so it's got an alternative where it won't get wet?
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| 559.11 | Inflated baloons (not helium) | POWDML::CORMIER | | Fri Jul 02 1993 07:24 | 5 |
| How about putting some balloons under the cover? It won't save your
cover, but will keep the cat out once he gets under the cover. You
might also try one of those commercial repellants to spray on the
cover. Not sure how well they work, but at this point what have you got
to lose?
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| 559.12 | | MR4DEC::LPIERCE | HELLO....AGAIN | Fri Jul 02 1993 10:54 | 20 |
|
I'm pretty sure the lady takes care of the cat and feeds it. It
is healthy looking and she does have another cat (an indoor one)
I really belive the cat has some mental disorders. I will try a
few of the suggustions in this file, but my take on this whole thing
is "why do I have to do all the work to keep someones else's cat out
of MY boat"? Isn't her problem?
I am now using my boat everyday (afterwork and weekends) I dont
want to go through the hassle of taking out thorn bush's and
mothballs and ballons everynight...I think I would give up boating
first.
Before my husband breaks out the mouse traps.. I think I just might
try and find this cat a good home (far away from my boat).
I get so made, this lady's attitude is "well, it's a cat I can't
do anything about it" well How about buying me a new boat seat!
lkp
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| 559.13 | Take her to small claims court? | STRATA::STOOKER | | Fri Jul 02 1993 11:06 | 19 |
| Just a suggestion, but once you get the video tape of the cat doing the
damage, hand it over to the lady with a bill for damages. Tell her
she is responsible for her cat. I really feel that if you own a pet
(any kind of pet) then you are responsible for the damages. Also
suggest to her, that if she can't keep the cat off of your property,
then tell her to keep the cat inside her house. This is ridiculous
that she is telling you she cant do anything about the cat. Tell her
to keep the cat INSIDE her house. Also tell her that she's extremely
lucky that it is you and not someone else that is getting damaged
property, since someone else just may take a gun and shoot it. (By the
way, I'm not suggesting that you do, just that someone not as nice as
you may do so). What other type of thing can you do? I would call
the animal control officers and report it. They are able to help with
other animals, I still am not sure why a cat is considered any
different...
Jusy my opinion...
Sarah
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| 559.14 | Document everything, then give her a chance | ISLNDS::FALLON | | Fri Jul 02 1993 11:33 | 10 |
| I like the idea of getting a video and taking her to small claims
court. But you would first have to prove that she owns the cat. If
you can get photos of her feeding or petting the cat (photos instead of
a video might be easier) you may prove ownership that way. If you
can't prove ownership, and your bills are high, she will say it is not
hers. Document when and what you say to her too. I would go to her
first after gathering the info/photos and give her the opportunity to
try to compensate you in some form. You don't know what her position
is either.
Karen
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| 559.15 | | MAGEE::MERRITT | Kitty City | Fri Jul 02 1993 11:36 | 25 |
| I do agree that is should not be your problem and you shouldn't
have to go through the effort of finding the cat a new home...but
it just feels that this lady is NOT going to do anything about it
and if you call the animal control officer they will probably just
take the cat to a shelter or rescue leaque...and the cat will be
put down. Personally I feel the lady doesn't deserve the cat...
he is causing you a problem...so I would probably deal with the
problem myself by finding the cat a new home. (of course I also
bring my neighbor cats to my vet if they don't take care of them..
so I'm a big SAP)
What if you tell her that you have the video tape...you plan on
calling the animal officer who will probably put her cat to sleep...
and you plan on bringing her to court for damages if she won't
deal with the problem. Have a nice conversation with her...see
what her reaction is...and take it from there.
After dealing with multiple strays...I still believe this cat is
hungry, possibly sick, and is starving for attention. He probably
claimed your boat during the winter time....and this lady probably
just leaves him outside and thinks the cat can fend for himself.
Sandy
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| 559.16 | | SUBURB::THOMASH | The Devon Dumpling | Mon Jul 05 1993 03:49 | 22 |
|
If the woman has one cat she keeps indoors all the time, and this one
that is outdoors (all of the time, or most of the time?) I wonder if it
is a stray which she just keeps feeding.
It's strange to treat the two cats that differently if you have two of
your own.
The behaviour you describe doesn't sound as if it would esily adapt to
living indoors with another cat.
If you have tried to get her to be responsible for the damage before,
and she has refused, then I don't see there is much you can do until
you seek legal advice on what her legal responsibilities are.
I know what they are in the UK - None. I would really find out before
this dispute goes too far.
and I would start to look around for a home for this cat - maybe
somewhere where they have a barn?
Heather
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| 559.17 | Bed of plastic nails? | BAHTAT::CARTER_A | Andy Carter..(The Turtle Moves!) | Mon Jul 05 1993 05:16 | 10 |
| I saw in a mail-order catalogue a device to keep cats off flower beds.
Its a sort of plastic bed-of-nails which is buried just under the
surface, with the plastic 2 inch spikes protruding. This makes it
difficult for the cat to walk over that area (let alone dig & squat!).
Perhaps a home made seat cover of a similar design might keep the cat
off the seats?
Andy
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| 559.18 | UK Law | SUBURB::ODONNELLJ | | Mon Jul 05 1993 06:12 | 4 |
| According to an article in Cat World concerning cats and the law in the
UK, you cannot be held responsible for your cat tresspassing on someone
else's property, but if it damages property (and this must be proved), you
can be sued for compensation.
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| 559.19 | | SUBURB::THOMASH | The Devon Dumpling | Tue Jul 06 1993 03:10 | 6 |
|
That's news to me, what issue of the magazine, I'll get a copy and
read up...............and go home and tell my two to behave themselves
when they go and sleep on nextdoors bed.
Heather
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| 559.20 | | SUBURB::THOMASH | The Devon Dumpling | Tue Jul 06 1993 03:26 | 30 |
| Thinking about this......
Both my cats are strays I've taken in,
I feed and water them, I take them to the vets, put them in kennels
when I'm on holiday etc......they can come and go as they please
through the catflap, it's never locked.
However, my nextdoor neighbour also feeds and waters them, they come and
go as they please through their catflap (they also have a cat).
They are also at home all day - and my cats love company and fresh
coley!
If push came to shove, how would you proove who "owns" these two
ex-strays.
I don't reallly have a problem, if my cats did any damage I'd have
my hand in my pocket ASAP, and do almost anything to ensure they didn't
do any more damage (except keeping them indoors), and what was done I
would ensure got fixed. and I get on really well with my neighbours.
I was wondering how you can actually say who "owns" these cats from a
legal perspective.
and also, how could you proove if it were my two, or theirs, or any
other cat that could have come through the flap, that did the damage?
Just hypothesizing, but you could end up wth large legal bills, and no
definate outcome.
Heather
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| 559.21 | | SUBURB::ODONNELLJ | | Tue Jul 06 1993 04:27 | 16 |
| I think it's the current issue - it's got a kitten in a basket with
lots of pink chrysanthemums on the front cover. I have it at home, if
you'd like me to bring it in for you.
I was surprised too - I'd always thought that the owner couldn't be
held responsible because it is so difficult to train a cat.
The article also includes a copy of some very ancient laws concerning
cats by "Howell the Good, King of South Wales", about the cat's worth
at different ages and its owner's responsibilities.
Your own case sounds like a lawyer's dream! I suppose if you take on
caring for a cat, even a stray, you also take on responsibility for it,
including costs. My boyfriend's mother took in a tabby stray of about 3
years old. It then got hit by a car outside their home, got various bones
broken and ran up a bill of over �300!
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| 559.22 | | SUBURB::THOMASH | The Devon Dumpling | Tue Jul 06 1993 04:55 | 26 |
| > I think it's the current issue - it's got a kitten in a basket with
> lots of pink chrysanthemums on the front cover. I have it at home, if
> you'd like me to bring it in for you.
Yes please, I'm in g3/7 at the back by the windows if you're
wandering by, if not, give me a call on 4970, and I'll come along
and have a browse.
> Your own case sounds like a lawyer's dream! I suppose if you take on
> caring for a cat, even a stray, you also take on responsibility for it,
> including costs.
My point (if I wanted to contest anything, which I wouldn't), would be
that the neighbour cared for it too, feeding it, and letting it sleep
on their bed during the day.
Or, I would contest that it's the cat that believes it owns the
territory, so sue the cat!
(could they sell off the gifts I've given them of catbasket, toys,
and scratching post, to pay the fine?)
Still, I'd like to read the article, and how they decide who the owner
really is.
Heather
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| 559.23 | Could be fun! | SUBURB::ODONNELLJ | | Tue Jul 06 1993 05:34 | 11 |
| >> (could they sell off the gifts I've given them of catbasket, toys,
and scratching post, to pay the fine?)
If the bailiff was prepared to risk life and limb gaining possession of
said articles, he could try it! However, I would refuse entirely to be held
responsible for injuries sustained in the brawl. I don't think they are
allowed to take your bed (catbasket) though, are they?
I'll bring the magazine in tomorrow. I'm in G2 myself, so if you aren't
there, I'll just leave it on your desk.
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| 559.24 | | SUBURB::THOMASH | The Devon Dumpling | Tue Jul 06 1993 06:01 | 15 |
|
Gulp!
It may be better to leave it on my chair.........you'll understand
when you see the state of my desk!!!!
Oh no! If the bailiffs wore white coats, the little one would have him.
You should see what he does to an advancing vet!
prosecuted for being in charge of a dangerous, 7lb, cat?????
Thanks,
Heather
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| 559.25 | | MR4DEC::LPIERCE | HELLO....AGAIN | Tue Jul 06 1993 13:29 | 17 |
|
Thanks for the tips, I will get alot of incriminating vidoe on
tape then I will present it to her first and see is we can work
something out.
to answer a question back a few. she has has this cat for about
3yrs (I have olny lived there full time for 1yr- this was my
Mom's house) the indoor cat is oly 1yr and it a siamees cat..
she feels if the lets out the siamees it will get stollen vs
the tabby cat no one will steel.
I got more video this weekend. I'll keep you posted on what
happens
Thanks again,
lkp
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| 559.26 | | SUBURB::THOMASH | The Devon Dumpling | Wed Jul 07 1993 03:09 | 28 |
| I still urge you to find out the true legal position.
Thanks for the magazine Julie, it's quite interesting, some of it is
quite clear, the rest a real minefield..........
An owner cannot be held responsible for a cat trespassing on another
property, digging holes, doing it's toilet, or anything else that
is deamed a normal feline activity.
If it does something like - breaking a window, then the owner is liable
for third party damage.
The owner of said property can be prosecuted if they attempt to poison,
shoot, or generally cause harm to the cat.
If your laws are similar, you can't do anything about the fact it
did it's toilet in your boat.
Anything it does to defend the territory it has marked out for itself
is natural behaviour.
The owner could say that damaging the cover so it could get into
a sheltered spot is natural behaviour, they could say that sharpening
it's claws on the seat, thus damaging the seat, is natural behaviour.
Your solicitor may say it isn't.
Bottom line, if your neighbour says she won't pay, find out the legal
position before spending money on litigation.
Heather
|