My neighbour throws my cat's faeces back into my garden

[darren8899]

My neighbour has recently started throwing my cat's faeces back into my garden, which lands on a paved area near our kitchen. I have 2 cats, 1 year old, and I suspect that they have been fouling in his garden for a couple of months. There are of course many other cats in the area, so I am assuming it is my cat's mess that is being thrown over the fence. I have not had any historical issues with this neighbour and would like to talk to him about this problem when I have some knowledge of where I stand legally. I understand that there are no laws specific to the owner being responsible for it's cats behaviour, but surely he cannot behave in this way. Any advice or guidance would be great.

[another-view]

Good on him. I wouldn't be to impressed if your cats did their mess in my garden either. He should get a big dog and let it cr@p on your lawn. See how you like it.

[China Doll]

Seems fair enough to me, they're your cats so I think it's right that you should dispose of their poops if your neighbour doesn't want them in his garden and it's better than posting them through your letter box.

I think you're making too big a deal about it but if you must say something then perhaps you could offer to go over with a poop bin at an allotted time and remove your cats offending mess.

[ummmm]

How does he know it's your cat?

[ethandron]

we have a problem with cats too, and to be honest, i have every sympathy with your neighbour. as you say, there are no laws about the owner being responsible for their cat so there's very little else a person can do if a cat is fouling in their garden.
i would be very tempted to to exactly the same as your neighbour and risk whatever consequences there might be (which is suspect are none).

[ummmm]

And cats do not go out on a lead with the owner carrying a poop scoop..!!

Unless people expect the owner to garden hop...

[stonekicker]

how does your neighbour know its your cats sh!t? does it stick a little flag in it to claim ownership???!!!! usually they bury it, so it would be funny seeing the neighbour digging it up - i would have a word as they could easily dispose of it or ask you to clean it up rather than flinging it over the fence - now that's disgusting...x

[Henkle]

darren is a wind up merchant, why pander to him?

[flip_flop]

I'm not bloody surprised he's throwing it into your garden - I'd do exactly the same.

In order to avoid a fall out (nobody wins in a neighbour dispute) the very least you should do is offer to go round once a day and clear up the mess left by your cats.

[Panic Button]

Cats like freshly dug earth, so try getting your spade out and creating an area in your garden that is appealing to your cats to use.

Having done this tell your neighbour what you are doing to alleviate the problem, and ask him to stop chucking it around. Perhaps buy him a container of cat repellant and a water pistol.

[LoftyLottie]

My cat comes in from outside to use the cat litter. She just won't poo outside!!

I think it would have been more polite if your neighbours had just had a word with you about it. People are so intollerant these days and antisocial. I like China's suggestion, but it seems to me you may well be getting other people's cat poo chucked over to you as well. Me, well if I were your neighbour I would just apply some cat deterrent or shoo the cats away or use a water pistol. They soon get the idea. As Doc says they are intelligent and clean creatures.

[ethandron]

the cats in our area don't bury it, it sits there for all to see. i object to having to dispose of someone else's cats poo and find that rather disgusting.

[LoftyLottie]

Oh hello Panic Button! We think alike obviously.

[Ric.ror]

Can't you have a litter tray in your garden - or would that encourage other cats to come and mess in your garden - see how you like it

I hate cats but not as much as I hate their owners a real case of NIMBY's here I think

[snags]

I guess you have to establish if it is actually your cat's poop. If your neighbour has witnessed that it is, then fair play to him. Your cats, your responsibility.

[yogasun]

I am afraid that I too am sympathetic. Mr. ys is fed up with planting seeds, veg plantlets in garden to find that there is cat's poo all round them and the area scratched up in a feeble attempt by the cat (unsuccessfully, doc) to bury it. We have a few cats around us so don't know which one is to blame. We have tried everything to deter them and nothing seems to work.

[ummmm]

But they're cats...you cannot follow a cat..!!

[LoftyLottie]

Hi Yoga,

Oh well, living where I do I have to put up with rabbits and moles and mice and rats digging up my garden, and unless I want to turn grey(er) with worry and become paranoid I have to learn to live with losing plants, etc. A few cats wouldn't make much difference. And I would far rather my own cat use the garden than rush in to use the cat litter which I have to clear up!! ;o)