Neighbours Cats Using My Garden As A Toilet

[chessington]

Does anyone know how I can stop the neighbours cats using my garden as a toilet?
I have grandchildren that like to play out there, but need to clear loads and I mean loads of poo away first and some if it you cannot clear as so disgusting if you know what I mean TIA

[RATTER15]

DrFilth, and your point is? I'm sure we are all aware of the search facility, we dont need more cruel methods re-posted i'm sure.

[xstitcher]

Sorry to contradict you Clary S but I have seen cats poo and not bury it and yes it surprised me too, as like you, I thought they always dug little holes.

[DrFilth]

RATTER15 so you think this is ok ?

jomifl > Apart from trapping it and taking it to cat rescue

[RATTER15]

No I dont think it is ok, I have merely pointed out points of law, twist it around as you wish.

[DrFilth]

> I'm sure we are all aware of the search facility, <

it would seem that the people who hate cats are not aware of the search facility as this kind of question has been asked many times over the years

[DrFilth]

how have a twisted this

jomifl > Apart from trapping it and taking it to cat rescue

[RATTER15]

DrFilth, do you and friedgreentomatoe have an issue with me, I have pointed out some point of law, I do not condone any type of cruelty, why the sudden attack on me?

PATHETIC!!!

[Baldric]

Ratter, could you do a link to that Law,
I'm having trouble finding it?
thanks

[Barmaid]

I found this passage in an article by Helen Brown in the LNB News. I think it is a fair summary - despite a fairly extensive search in the main legal databases I use, this is the best I can come up with:-

"The current legal position on cats is that they're domestic pets in the house and irresponsible, wild animals outside (Surely the same applies to men?). Because cats are generally too smart/lazy to attack people unless serious provoked I can't find any cases of cats attacking people in or outside (let me know if you know of any) and so I don't know where responsibility on that score lies. Now, I'm all for responsible pet owning, and licensing. Definitely neutering, because I spend a fortune on feeding unwanted strays. But my question is, if a cat breaks his curfew, or gets frisky pre-neutering, how shall he be punished? I, for one, am uneasy about owner-liability. There's no way Basil's coming in when he's supposed to. Cats are contrary like that. A dog, you can train. A cat, you compromise with. On his terms. How is a cat going to deal with the law, but by flouting it?"

I guess there have probably been no reported court cases on this particular issue - although I think it would be an interesting case to argue. However, what I can say for sure is that any microchip on the cat will definitely be "property" and thus could be stolen.

Regardless of some esoteric arguments on whether cats are wild animals and can be stolen, the OP asked for ways to stop them fouling. Trapping it and taking it to cat rescue probably wouldn't work a) it may be microchipped and b) because the first thing I would do if one of mine went missing would be to call all the local cat rescue centres - thus cat would quickly be reunited with its slave.

Perhaps Chessington can go and see his neighbours and explain his concerns and ask them if there any steps they could take to prevent this?

[jomifl]

/Perhaps Chessington can go and see his neighbours and explain his concerns and ask them if there any steps they could take to prevent this?/

Is that a good idea ? as soon as the cat goes missing she will be suspected of 'disappearing' it.

[jomifl]

The fact of the matter is that the victim of cats sh1tting hasn't got a leg to stand on. Anything the victim does is either expensive, useless or 'cruel' (which is a cat prerogative).

[Purple_Popple]

Can anything be done about dogs mess...some owners that do not clear that up...also dogs peeing up cars..lamposts..bushes at every opportunity..streets stained with dog pee...yuk.

[chessington]

Thank you for all the replies everyone, I have wrote down some of the tips to try, the neighbours dog used to foul my front garden when he was alive, I used to chuck it back in his garden, the owner is ill from smoking so don't move off the sofa to do anything, another neighbour feeds the cats. Some of it could be fox poo but his cats that comes in do not bury it or cover it up, thanks again all of you

[friedgreentomato]

No Ratter I do not have an issue with you at all, I have an issue with the suggestion that it is OK to trap cats for fouling!

Now if we go on your suggestion that they are wild animals - does that mean you trap foxes, badgers etc as they are also wild animals.

[ClaryS]

Unless you keep your cat indoors you can never be sure where they poop even if you have trained them in a litter tray cats don't just poop to relieve themselves they poop to make their territory known. The best way is to put down some repellent and if you see them chase them off with a water pistol, or hosepipe. IMHO its much worse watching an irresponsible DOG owner stand and watch their dog poop on your front lawn than it is to have a wayward cat doing it when they know no better.

[ClaryS]

jomifl if you trapped my cat and sent it to the cat rescue you would have more to worry about than a piece of poop on your lawn.

[carolegif]

Orange or lemon peel is supposed to keep them off, you would need a lot though. We have 3 cats next door and 9 others in the vicinity, apart from prickly hedging, I think there is little you can do.

[jomifl]

ClaryS, have to agree with you there. Perhaps some people just have inappropriate pets for where they live.

[DJHawkes]

my next door but one neighbour has a black metal silouette of a blackcat stuck in the middle of her lawn with it's back arched. it seems to work she says. my two cats are saints and wouldn't dream of upsetting their neighbours and i trust them completely to behave and show due decorum when out and about.

[jomifl]

How would I know it was your cat? all cats outside 'their' houses are effectively strays. I think it is your responsibility to keep your cat indoors and not put the onus on other people to share responsibility for it's care without doing the courteuos thing and asking them.
eg. Hullo, I'm your new neighbour, do you mind if my cat sh1ts on your lawn and kills the birds you take so much care feeding'.
The old 'well they are wild animals' excuse doesn't cut the mustard as rats are wild animals too and they aren't appreciated either.