what is the law on cats ?

coliel

Hi
A friend of mine has sadly found that one of her pet rabbits has been atacked by a neighbours cat !!
her rabbit was free in her garden hopping about when a cat jumped in and went for her rabbit !!! she ran in and got some water and chucked it over the cat and poor rabit which did stop it then it ran off but the rabbit was still hert in the time it took her to get the water etc !!
she did scream at the cat at first but it took no notis !!
she is realy cross because her naighbour wasnt at all conserned saying it is just natrel which all though true is still unkind to say!!
i have told my friend that i think a cat cant be under the responsability of its owner but i dont realy know - do any of you know ?
I know that the owner of a dog is liable and responsable for the actions of their dog but what about other animals like say a pet rat escaping and causing dammage to a neighbours home or a pet rabbit escaping and eating up a neighbours vegtable plot ?
I would make the assumption that legaly you are not to blame but morraly you are - what do you giuse think ???
I have found this all very intresting.
love coliel

annestaff

Not up on cat law but I'm sure I read somewhere that the law looks at it as 'cats will be cats' and the responsibility will lay with your friend making sure that her rabbits are safe and secure at all times.

Doesn't seem fair after what your friend is going through but if she rings somewhere like the RSPCA they will know all the ins and outs.

coliel

hi
my friend had to take her rabbit to the vets and the vet said the same but it would be horrable to never let her rabbits free to realy run and hop around !!!
She was in the garden at the time although she was reading her book - hence she didnt see the cat untill it had pounced from off her garden fence !!
Its a funny thing with anmals Who is to blame when an animal escapes and does damage ?
Although i supose a cat dosnt actualy escape as they are free to do as they please any how !
love coliel

jabbro

Cats and the law
Please note that by listing specific websites, The Cat Group is not responsible for any information or advice given or acted upon.

My neighbour's cat keeps coming into my garden and attacking my cat - what is the legal position?
Unfortunately an owner is not legally responsible for what their cat does outside. You should have a quiet word with the cat's owner and ask them to keep it inside more and to have it neutered if this has not already been done.

My neighbour's cat has 'moved in' and we have been feeding it for months - can we keep it and take it with us when we move?
If you know who the cat belongs to it would be theft to take the cat without their agreement. Many cats have several 'homes' and are equally happy to take food from you as well as from their real owner. You should speak to your neighbour and ask if they want the cat. They may be pleased to let you take it with you.

I am not a cat owner - what can I do to deter my neighbour's cats from coming into my garden?
You cannot of course do anything to harm the cat but there are a number of things which cats dislike and can be used as deterrents. These include netting or chicken wire, prickly plants and smells such as orange, citrus, oil of peppermint and eucalyptus.

Feeding cats
Cats usually regulate their food intake but obesity can occur in greedy cats, just as it does in humans! Being overweight can cause health problems for a cat and also affects its agility and energy levels. Information on the overweight cat is available through the FAB website: www.fabcats.org
The type and quantity of food required will depend on the cat's age and status - a tiny kitten, a nursing queen or a moggie of pensionable age will not need the same diet as an adventurous three year old tom cat.

Advice is readily available - from your local vet or from a number of organisations including:
The Pet Food Manufacturers' Association: 20 Bedford Street, London WC2E 9HP Website: www.pfma.com e-mail: info@pfma.org.uk Tel: 020 7379 9009

The Cat Group, launched in 2000, is a collection of professional organisations dedicated to feline welfare through the development and promotion of policies and recommendations on the care and keeping of all cats.

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VJH

ohh lord I wouldnt know how to stop a cat from hunting - you cannot compare dogs to cats imo. They hunt and kill for sport, vicious things they are - my cat tortures mice and birds and stuff and its awful to see Sad

Personally I wouldnt let a small prey type animal loose where there are cats it just isnt worth the risk really as your friend has learned the hard way Sad

Could she get a run for him instead? We had rabbits and cats when I was younger and my dad built a 20 foot run for them that was enclosed so they couldnt come to any harm when they were out of their hutch

I hope the rabbit is ok
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clareabella

awww poor bunny Sad

My cat is a good hunter always bringing back mice and birds Sad

However she runs a mile when my brother used to have his rabbit in the garden. As for my chinchillas they used to chase her Laughing

It's impossible for owners to know what thier cat is upto when they are out and about, as mentioned by others the best thing to do would be to get a run for the rabbit, my mom always had a run for her guinea pigs and they were always safe when other cats came into the garden, saying that the dog always safe guarded them aswell Wink

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coliel

Hi
The rabbit is ok but did need an inection of some sort and a few stiches poo thing !!!
becky my friend does have a run and she was going to just put them in that but it as such a lovely day that she thought she would give them a play in the garden - never again i might add !!!
dose any one know the law with other animals escaping - ?
love coliel

Beagle

hi coliel,
I know that if a horse gets out, the owner is responsible for any damage caused. That why most horse owners have third party liability insurance. I have known cases where horses have been let out of their field by yobs, and the owners have been in trouble with the police and have been responsible, even though it wasn't their fault.
Lorraine.

rufftydlc

Ive always been afraid of my animals gettin attacked by cats, polecats, dogs etc. Im tryin to save up and buy a metal run as my wooden one is absolutely destroyed, if any animal jumped on the top of the chicken wire at the top the whole thing would probably collapse Sad

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