Problem with next door neighbour and our kittens

[x799sej]

Our next door neighbour keeps threatening to kill our kittens as he is blaming them for making his dog bark constantly. However they have had the dog for the last seven years and he has always barked constantly since they have had him as he never gets walked and is kept in a small pen all day and night. We have never onced complained about the barking although they have had lots of complaints made to the council from other neighbours we have alsways kept quiet. We have only had our kittens since december as we got them from a rescue centre so we have not had them long however I am getting very cross one of my kittens is very friendly and she likes to sit on the fence he keeps threatening to grab her and throw her into the dog pen so that the dog can rip her to shreds this I find very upsetting and so do my children. I know that everyone aren't cat lovers and I try my best to kep them out of their garden but cats being cats it is a bit difficult I don't know what to do anymore.

[milly143]

Try to get a recording of them making the threats to kill your cats and the dogs barking, then report him. IF you really think he is serious then keep the cats in for the time being.

[x799sej]

I have kept them in for a whole week but It's not fair on them and as for recording his threats he says them randomly so it is quite hard to record it for proof. :(

[China Doll]

Report it to the police.

[mccfluff]

as china said

[tastymorsel]

I find this very upsetting and it must be a worry for you.This person obviously has no regard for animal welfare if he is keepinga dog penned up day and night.I would be inclined to report him to the RSPCA and the Environmental Health Dept.If only for the poor dogs sake

[x799sej]

I thought of that but my partner does not want to as we live next door to each other and our children are in the same classes at school and play together it is very awkward

[sallybb]

How awlful, you must be terrified. Even though he has only made a threat, it may be worth having an imformal chat to the RSPCA. They may be able to mediate in this matter. Normally when neighbours report noise nuisance (barking) to enviromental health. The complainers identity (i believe) is withheld. Even though you haven't complained, as his nearest neighbour he may suspect that you have. Could this be a reason why he is being so nasty. Not every likes the RSPCA but they do some very good work. If you go to RSPCA web site , there is a Help and Advice section.

[tiggerblue10]

Poor kittens! Poor dog as well!

I agree with Tastymorsel. Report him to the RSPCA re: the dog and also tell them that he is making threats about the kittens.

[China Doll]

From my understanding, the RSPCA won't do very much.

You either contact the police with your complaint or carry on allowing him to do it without consequence because your don't want to cause any awkwardness... I'd have found my neighbour already 'awkward' to say the least if he threatened my animal. I don't really understand your partners logic.

[x799sej]

They have had complaints made against them to the council and the enviromental health people have been out a few times and have been told to keep him quiet or they will get fined. They used a bark control collar for a while but that did not work I am just sick of him blaming my kittens for the dog barking whaen we have only had them for four or five months and the bloody dog has been barking non stop for the last seven years

[milly143]

I can understand the partners logic. It doesn't exactly sound like the neighbour is about to win any community awards so I might too be worried about stirring something up with a guy like this.
The only reason I suggested trying to get a recording is because we hear all too often how the police are powerless/uninterested in complaints against neighbours. If you have some solid proof some serious threats are being made, it may help your complaint.

[B00]

Have you tried telling him that if anything does happens to your kittens you'll be going straight to the police? What does he say?

Don't bother with the RSPCA- waste of effort on your part, they won't do anything, or even bother contacting the guy.

Don't let your children play with his, can only imagine what the kids are like with a cretin like that for a dad.

[x799sej]

Thanks for all your advice I think I will have a word with the rspca and get some advice and see what they say

[sallybb]

I've had to contact the RSPCA on four different occassions all with a very positive and quick response. I know some people wont agree, but please dont dismiss them.

[sallybb]

Oops sorry , only just seen authors last comment

[ladybirder]

What a barsteward he is. Poor poor dog. Poor you. Glad you are taking advice as doing nothing will just result in more of the same. I have to say that my dealings with the RSPCA have been positive. I called them out to a poor dog that had cancer and was still used as a breeding bitch - kept in a cage all day in the kitchen. She was in a pitiful state. RSPCA were there the next day.

[bednobs]

i can sort of see where he is coming from - if he has been threatened with a fine if the dog keeps barking,, and your cat torments the dog by sitting watching it, i bet he is just scared he's going to have to cough up and is blaming you

[LoftyLottie]

Your neighbour is making threats and as such is harrassing you, which is actually a crime. You have already said your partner doesn't want police involvement, but personally I would report it to the police before I did anything else. As I said harrassment is a criminal offence.

You could of course get a solicitors letter sent to him regarding his threats as a warning. This will not cost a fortune - about £70.00. What it will do is make him realise that his threats have been brought to the attention of someone in a legal position. A solicitor will simply threaten him with court procedures if harrassment of this type continues.

He sounds horrific. Personally I would not even try to communicate with him yourself again and I too cannot understand your partners logic.