Neighbour's Cat Died On My Drive - Interested In Opinions...

Deskdiary | 19:03 Sun 17th Feb 2019 | Law

100 Answers

I'll try to keep this short.

I have a gravel drive and some weeds have started to come through so I was out yesterday with weed killer.

It would appear the neighbour's cat has either licked it, or walked over it and then licked it's paws or whatever, and the upshot is the cat is dead.

I accept it's likely the cat died because of my weed killer.

I've just had a stand-up row with the neighbour who was demanding compensation because I put weedkiller on my drive. I made the point that the only pertinent part of her rant was that she's correct, it is indeed my drive, and therefore I made the point that as it's my drive it is mine to do with as I please.

Bottom line is I sent her away with flea in her ear.

What is the legal position?

What’S Going To Happen

Fencing

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Ryzen

DD we need some facts before a conclusion can be made....what was the weedkiller...was it glyphosate based. Most over counter weedkillers may make pets ill..but unless they ingest large quantities or are already weak, wont kill in that short time.

Togo

//How about banning pest control that kills animals ? //

Good idea. Rat friendly rat poison.

Deskdiary

Question Author

Ryzen - literally no idea. It was Weedol Ultra Tough.

sunny-dave

A: It's unlikely that a household stregth weedkiller actually killed a previously healthy cat - at worst it might have made it a bit poorly, and even that would have needed a huge dose.

B: As usual the cat lobby want it both ways - they disclaim any actual control and allow their cats to run wild, carp in our flower beds and slaughter wild birds - but (when it suits the owner) they also want them treated like domesticated pets who must be respected and protected from all danger.

ladybirder

Webbo that seems to be debatable depending on who you believe.
There are weed killers that don't harm animals so I don't understand why people don't buy those. Boiling water kills them and it's cheap.

Ryzen

IMO...your weedkiller will not kill a healthy cat.....but it may have finished off a weak cat. The product is Glyphosate based and this chemical will be absorbed along a certain stem pathway within the plant..this then will prevent the treated plant from absorbing certain chemicals/ elements from the soil..i.e. zinc..this will result in the plant dying after about 21 days.

So unless the cat drank half a pint it should still be crapping in your borders.

wolf63

I can't see how you could be legally responsible for the death of the cat from weedkiller.

As the others have said it is unlikely that the cat was poisoned. Many cats are killed by cars.

Has she buried the cat yet?

Never underestimate how much people love their furry family. To you it's just a Cat but I know how I would feel if it was my boy, Frankie.

TonyV

Household bleach is my weed killer of choice.

TonyV

Or just dig them up and put in compost bin

Deskdiary

Question Author

TonyV - that's a great tip. The Weedol I bought was £26 - if I can kill them (weeds - not cats) with a £1 bottle of bleach, then I will do.

agchristie

//Bottom line is I sent her away with flea in her ear//

You demonstrated a lot of Resolva there...

Deskdiary

Question Author

sunny-dave.

I must admit I get thoroughly sick and tired of cleaning up cat crap from my drive. I have often thought how would cat owners like it if I allowed my dog to crap on their property and smile indulgently at them as they did it.

Bizarrely though, cat owners seem to find this behaviour acceptable on that basis that cats are wanderers.

TonyV

Yes Deskdiary works a treat.

TonyV

I don't hate cats but it's a pain when you prepare a seed bed and they decide it's a perfect loo. Children's water gun always at the ready.

Togo

// As usual the cat lobby want it both ways - they disclaim any actual control and allow their cats to run wild, carp in our flower beds and slaughter wild birds - but (when it suits the owner) they also want them treated like domesticated pets who must be respected and protected from all danger. //

//I must admit I get thoroughly sick and tired of cleaning up cat crap from my drive. I have often thought how would cat owners like it if I allowed my dog to crap on their property and smile indulgently at them as they did it.//

Both statements needed making and my veg patch is in agreement, as is the bird feeder. Silenced .22 air gun is useful. Feral cats in the woods is a get orff my land situation I am afraid. A "pet" designed for the irresponsible and uncaring. Can a cuddly ferret have free reign? Perhaps a pet Fox is the answer.

Maydup

We use a mixture of vinegar, salt and washing up liquid. 1litre White vinegar (a few pence a bottle in the supermarket)
3 large spoonfuls of cheapest WU liquid
3 large spoonfuls of salt.

Mix together and pour back into the vinegar bottle.
Squirt generously over the drive. You might need 4/5 litres for a driveway. Its cheap, natural and harmless but kills all plants so avoid the flowerbed.

https://moralfibres.co.uk/homemade-weedkiller-recipe/

NellieMay

I have three cats and a dog. I use weed killer on the shingle drive, but never at this time of the year when the mornings and evening's are cold and very likely damp I would rather have a few weeds than take risks of harming any animal. I wouldn't contemplate treating my drive until April at the very earliest. I use weedkiller as little as possible! Nasty stuff.