What would you do in this situation?

[Barmaid]

A dog just went mad and came bowling into our garden. It grabbed one of our cats who screamed and went leaping over the back fence (not seen since despite me conducting a thorough search). Dog then came running back going absolutely mad and went after our neighbour's cat. He cornered the cat in the garden and was going "in for the kill". The owner was miles away and came ambling along with a grin on her face. My partner (in sandals) delivered a kick to the dog to get it off the cat - (the dog didn't yell or anything) and then used his foot to push it off the cat. The owner was absolutely foul and made allegations about dog cruelty. What about cat cruelty?! As far as we were both concerned, this dog was about to kill the cat. It was completely uncontrollable. She said "he's only a puppy, you should have picked him up". I told her that I had had a number of different animals my whole life and from what I know you certainly don't pick up an animal who is on the attack. We had no idea it was a puppy, as far as we were concerned it was creating havoc in our garden chasing our cats and wanted to protect them. I am in tears of worry about Binnie (my cat who will now "go to ground" for a few days) and could be hurt and now this witch is giving us grief about cruelty when she can't be bothered to control her bloody dog!!!!!

Actually, they are not all tears of worry, I am furious that a dog can come into MY property and create havoc and then it is OUR fault if the dog gets hurt. She's lucky - if it had been my uncle, he'd have shot the bloody thing for worrying livestock.

Sorry, just need to vent.

[daffy654]

I would have also kicked the dog to get it off the poor cat Barmaid. When the owner appeared I would have demanded her details and reported her out of control dog to the police.

I hope your missing cat turns up soon and without any injuries.

[Mamyalynne]

Well you are right to be furious and puppy or not it should be on a leash. Check if your area has a dog warden or whatever they are now called and ask who to report it to, nothing mat be done now, but noted down if god forbid any recurrence happens.

[painterman32]

See how funny she finds it when you send her the vets bill for your cat. Stupid woman she is, if she can't control her animals she shouldn't allowed to have them

[boxtops]

Once again - a dog should be on a lead in a public place..... are you going to tell the police?

[Mamyalynne]

Yes hope Binnie is ok.

[LoftyLottie]

Oh Barmaid how awful. You must feel so upset. I would be devastated. Hopefully Binnie will come back when she has settled down. No dog should be out in a residential area without a lead. As much as I love dogs (and cats as well,) and as much as my dog doesn't chase cats, she wouldn't be given the opportunity.

I will be thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed for Binnie. Please post on here when she returns (I am sure she will) xxx

[boxtops]

^ and I was so dismayed by this story that I forgot to say so - sorry - I would have done exactly the same if a loose dog had attacked my cats, and I think the vet bill comment (if it should be necessary) is a fair point.

[Barmaid]

I've been out and called Binnie again and rattled her biscuits but nothing. The OH said that the dog had actually chased Binnie up the path by the lake and into the garden (the first I was aware of it was her yelp when she went over the fence).

The dog was on a lead - which was trailing behind it so the owner had clearly let go. She made NO attempt to call the dog back and just came ambling along (and then had the fcuking cheek to say to me "you try running in a mini skirt") with a smile on her face.

She's actually lucky, if it had been my old lady the dog chased (who was not that fast due to her illness), I'd probably have brained the bloody thing.

You know, I am an animal lover and hate to see any sort of cruelty. But what exactly were we meant to do when an unknown animal comes into our garden and attacks a cat?

Anyway, apparently we are now to be reported for animal cruelty. I've reported it to the police and written a contemporaneous statement. Now am going to look for Binnie Bons again. What a *** day.

[CatGirl4]

Can't think what i would have done to the dog,or its owner,if it had touched one of my cats!!.Some "people" shouldn't be allowed animals.....

[Barmaid]

Still no Binnie.......

[wolf63]

I love dogs and, sometimes, cats - and I know that in most cases dogs just like to chase the cats and would have no idea what to do if they actually caught up with one.

However some it sounds like this one isn't one of those - he could quite easily kill a cat and, if I were its owner, I would be extremely concerned about this.

I had a psycho dog and he was always kept on the lead - for my peace of mind if nothing else.

I hope that Binnie isn't hurt and not too freaked out to return home soon.

[OrcadianOil]

Have a look at this link, it tells you what the legislation is concerning the Dangerous Dog Act 1991:

http://www.opsi.gov.u...ga_19910065_en_1#l1g3

I think the best you could hope for in the circumstances you described would be the dog owner having a requirement placed upon her to keep her dog under control in future "in a public place".

Happy reading.

[boxtops]

Let us know, Barmaid - I hope she comes home soon. She's had a hell of a fright, she might want to come back in the dark when she knows nobody (or no animal) is about. I can't think of anything more terrfiying for an animal than to be attacked on its own safe home ground.

[Barmaid]

Thank you all. But still no sign of Binnie. I've walked miles tonight.

[~Wingnut~]

Grrr people like that make my blood boil!! I too hope Binnie is home soon Barmaid xx

[ruthann58]

how awful for you barmaid i hope binnie is ok .i am sure she is just frightened and is hiding till its dark and all is quiet xxx

[Barmaid]

Binnie came home at quarter to one this morning. Very very shaken, but physically unhurt - which was a huge relief. She spent the night cuddled between me and the OH (she does sleep on the bed but normally at the end of the bed not wedged between the pair of us). She has not been downstairs all day (consequently we have a pile of poo which Mummy slave had to deal with) and thus I have provided Madam Binnie with room service.

I've actually avoided my front garden today so as not to have a further confrontation with Dog Lady (lady in the loosest possible terms). Stupid stupid cow.

[wolf63]

It is great that she has come home. She must have been terrified - especially being attacked on her home territory.

I hope that she will be venturing out into the big world soon. Cats may act all cocky and laid back but they are easily freaked out and very easily stressed.

I have just looked up to see Frankie sitting watching me - his right eye is weeping and there is a red wound on his nose. I think that he has been beaten up by his sister (again).

Susan

[Eve]

Oh the poor thing, I don't know what it wrong with some people, it makes me so mad! I'd have done the same if it meant saving my cats, only the other week I came across two stray dogs on my estate and physically got between them and one of my cats to give mine a chance to get out of the way. That's 3 in the last few months, the last one damaged the garden gate and wrecked a fence panel that the neighbours had to replace urgently as they have a dog themselves! Why can't people control their dogs!

A few years back one of my aunt's cats was killed on her property by a dog whose owners just let it wander free. Nothing was done and it's just heartbreaking and makes my blood boil!

Glad Binnie got back ok and hope she is alright, bless her.

[LoftyLottie]

I have been popping in and out of AB today just to find out if Binnie came home safely.

I am so very pleased, Barmaid.

Love Lottie xxx