Neighbour dispute over cat poo?

Lewina
Lewina Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone!

I’m having a bit of an issue with my neighbour at the moment, and I’m really hoping it doesn’t escalate any further.

He’d previously come round to tell us to stop our dog from doing its business in his garden... except it was impossible for it to be our dog. There's no way for him to get out of our garden (which is fully enclosed) to get into his (which is open to the rest of the estate). If the dog did actually get out, he wouldn't go to that tiny garden; he'd head for the fields about 100 yards away. Plus, the droppings were much smaller than our dog's, looking more like cat poo instead.

Since he’s a wheelchair user, we were being kind and picked up the mess he showed us while we were there.

But then today he came back to ask us to stop our kitty from pooping in his garden... Which is all well and good, but:

- 1. Our girl doesn't go out much, and she mainly uses her litter tray at home, even if there's no guarantee she doesn't also go outside.

- 2. There are easily 5 or 6 other cats that regularly cross through our gardens, and he’s never actually seen our cat doing it in his garden, so once again, there’s no proof it’s her.

Honestly, I’d had enough, so I let my husband do the talking because I was in a foul mood and didn’t want to make things worse. I totally understand that being in a wheelchair, rolling through cat poo must be absolutely disgusting, but there’s really only what... a 10% chance that it’s actually our cat doing it?

Anyway, my husband is far too nice and told him he’d pop over every morning to check and pick up any cat mess.

But that’s only going to work while he’s out of work and relaxed at home; I can’t see him doing that in the morning before heading off to a job, and then the problem will just start all over again.

What would you do in my position, bearing in mind I don't want to get on my neighbour's bad side? Just tell him again that we can't really control where a cat goes once it's out?

Are there any products we could put in his garden to deter cats from pooping there?

Thanks in advance!

Translated from French
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6 answers
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    • Isa Taras
    Isa taras Icon representing the flag French
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    Your neighbour needs to have proof that it’s actually your dog and/or cat. Regarding the dogs' behaviour... They could always call the local dog warden (which is actually the best-case scenario, as at least no harm will come to your pets). As long as your pets are microchipped, you'll be able to get them back once you’ve paid the release fees. If they do turn out to be yours, you'll have to pay; otherwise, the actual owner will have to foot the bill. Every owner is responsible for their pet and any damage they cause (things like mess in the garden, digging holes, ruining flowerbeds, etc. — the list goes on). Under UK law, it is illegal to let your pets stray. Generally, an owner is held liable for any damage their animal causes, even if the pet has escaped, and you are not allowed to let them roam freely. You would be expected to cover the costs of any property damage or injury, and potentially even compensation for any distress caused. However, you might not be held responsible if it can be proven that the "victim’s" own behaviour actually caused the incident. You could be taken to court not just for the damages, but also for a criminal offence. You could be looking at a hefty fine (such as a Fixed Penalty Notice). In serious cases, a court can even order for the animal to be seized and put into kennels, or in extreme circumstances, even have the animal put down. If it really is your pets going onto his land, your neighbour is well within his rights to make a formal complaint to the council or the police.
    Translated from French
    L
    Lorna Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi Lewina, one good solution would be to encourage your girl to do her business in a less problematic spot by following the advice above (loose soil or coarse sand are usually very appealing to them).

    On the other hand, you could try to "break" her routine by finding out exactly which way she gets in and making it more of a hassle for her, if that's possible.

    Cats tend to follow fairly fixed routes. They have their own territory with several spots that they visit according to a bit of a schedule.

    Yours would probably give up on that neighbour's small patch quite easily if it became a bit of a pain for her to get there, especially if she had a more satisfying spot at your place instead.

    Translated from French
    T
    Trifouillette Icon representing the flag French
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    I don't want to worry you, but do please be careful.

    Your neighbour might take it out on your cat. A colleague of mine lost her cat because her neighbour, who was fed up with cat poo in his garden, put down slug pellets. Cats eat them and it can be fatal.

    Once your husband is back at work, he can clear up the mess in the evenings 😉

    Maybe you could set up a spot in your garden with some loose soil so she can do her business there instead.

    As for deterrent products, they just get washed away by the rain and absorbed into the ground, so I don't think you'll find a solution that’s both effective and long-lasting.

    Translated from French
    Lewina
    Lewina Icon representing the flag French
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    Right, we’ve got a bit of a problem. There hasn’t been a single poo in my neighbour’s garden since my kitty’s been away staying with my parents... Mind you, my mum insists that she only uses her litter tray at theirs (two poos and several wees a day).

    But still, it probably means it was her all along... Is there some kind of natural product I could put in the neighbour’s garden so she doesn’t want to go to the toilet there anymore? It’s a tiny space, maybe 10 or 15 square metres.

    We don’t really fancy having to go round and clear it up every morning as well as cleaning out her litter tray...

    Translated from French
    Lewina
    Lewina Icon representing the flag French
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    It surprises me too, but it’s either that or a little stray dog has been coming to do its business in their garden x) Or it really is mine and she doesn’t quite understand how to do it properly outside of her litter tray... @Blue Cat, I’m sure we aren’t in any trouble with the law—well, I hope not—but I’d like to try and stay on good terms with my neighbours as much as possible ^^
    Translated from French
    Blue_Cat
    Blue_cat Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi there,

    As long as your cat is microchipped in your name and neutered, your neighbour won't be able to take any legal action against you—he’d lose the case. There is no law in the UK that forces you to keep your cat kept indoors.

    I get the impression that because he is in a wheelchair, you feel the need to be overly accommodating of his unreasonable demands. If he still has all his faculties, just treat him like any other neighbour. His disability doesn't give him any special rights regarding YOUR pets. You can calmly explain to him that the fouling isn't down to your animals and leave it at that. The more you try to justify yourself and apologise, the more he will take advantage.

    Translated from French

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