So who is to blame?? You make the call.

[df909]

We live in a normal residential area with houses right next to each other. My neighbor has like 5 cats that he lets roam around and he just leaves piles of food out for them & they live under his house in the crawl space and one make isn't fixed. So, there were 3 small (15-20 lbs) stray dogs that were running around the neighborhood so my wife caught them so the SPCA can put them up for adoption.

My wife put up a sheet of lattice to block the dogs from climbing on a pile of wood and jumping into the neighbor's backyard. Well, the dogs were able to knock the lattice out of the way & go into the neighbor's yard. The dogs chased his cats around but didn't get any.

If one of the stray dogs got one of his cats that he keeps outside, do we owe him anything if the cat is injured or killed? What if the cat was injured while running away?

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

I would say no because they weren't your dogs.

But then again I don't know the laws out there.

Call the SPCA and ask them.

 

[JRJ]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

Up to you to control the dogs. I suppose if a cat was injured in their yard, by your adopted dogs you would be liable. On the other hand stray cats in your yard are fair game imo. Guess my neighborhood isn't normal. No strays here. Good luck.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

I think since your wife decided to take the stray dogs in until the SPCA could come get them she is assuming the risk of keeping them and so the risk of them killing your neighbors cats in his yard is your issue. Yes I think it would be your fault...for not controlling your wife....and if you figure out how to control your wife please let me know what you did so I can try it on my wife!

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

Doesn't the good samaritan law count on this one ??

Do you guys have that out there ??

 

[Bondo]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

I think since your wife decided to take the stray dogs in until the SPCA could come get them she is assuming the risk of keeping them and so the risk of them killing your neighbors cats in his yard is your issue. Yes I think it would be your fault...for not controlling your wife....and if you figure out how to control your wife please let me know what you did so I can try it on my wife!

Ayuh,...

 

[triumphrick]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda...who cares??

 

[j_martin]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

I agree with rick.

Nothing happened, so nobody's to blame.

I used to tell my kids when they came up with this sort of imaginary trouble to solve that I have enough real trouble. I don't need any play trouble.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

Agree with the last 2 posts............

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

Somewhat of a none issue in my opinion.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

I think since your wife decided to take the stray dogs in until the SPCA could come get them she is assuming the risk of keeping them and so the risk of them killing your neighbors cats in his yard is your issue. Yes I think it would be your fault.

I agree completely with this post.

Despite the fact that I am a cat lover, I think it is extremely irresponsible to have "outside" cats (unless you have a large property). So your neighbor would pretty much deserve whatever happens to them.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

I think since your wife decided to take the stray dogs in until the SPCA could come get them she is assuming the risk of keeping them and so the risk of them killing your neighbors cats in his yard is your issue. Yes I think it would be your fault...for not controlling your wife....and if you figure out how to control your wife please let me know what you did so I can try it on my wife!

HAAA,

Yeah, let me know too.

Since they are your dogs now get them their shots, get them registered, dog license or what ever your county requires, and enjoy your new pets.

I think the SPCA found them a home when your wife said she would take them in.

And enjoy being a pet owner.

 

[ehenry]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

I agree with Ezmobee.

THere are way to many "free range" dogs and cats and because they are "free range" what ever happens to them.... happens. No one should be responsible for an injured animal other than the owner of the injured animal regardless of where the injury occurs if both the injured animal and animal inflicting the injury are "free range" animals. Dogs and cats will always be just that.....they will do what dogs and cats do.

 

[EJ42955]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

5 cats that he lets roam around and he just leaves piles of food out for them & they live under his house in the crawl space and one make isn't fixed.

Sounds like the cheapskate doesn't want to pay for trash pick up.

PETS should not be allowed to roam outside of the owners property. And, you know it's impossible to keep a cat from leaving the property if left outside. Lost or escaped pets should be identifiable by tags, collars and/or implants. If not, the county is responsible for collecting them.

 

[scipper77]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

Our cat is free to be inside or outside. Whatever she wants. She kills rodents which our neighbors actually appreciate. There is a lump on her right shoulder that I am 99% sure is a pellet from a pellet gun (You can feel it pretty good) so I know someone in mt old neighborhood didn't appreciate her.

If something happens to the cat I consider it to be an expected loss for any outdoor cat. Personally I can't wait to have an animal free house, dog is old and on the way out, cat will likely live forever.

My opinion is who cares what happens to a cat that is left outside to fend for itself. Don't cry about it if something does happen.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

In this situation, I'd say no harm, no foul. But regarding your "what if" scenario, my GUESS would be this:
You are caring for the dogs, even though you don't own them, they are in your care, and if your city has an ordinance that requires dogs to be under control I think an argument could be made that you are liable if they leave your property and commit mayhem.
We have a few idiots in my neighborhood that do stupid things thinking the're in compliance with the control requirements, like clipping a leash to the collar but not holding onto the other end. Stupid thing to do- let a dog drag a noose along with it that won't break free if it gets tangled. Or my other favorite- the 30' retractable leash. Letting out all 30' and allowing the dog to go anywhere in that 60' diameter isn't controlling. I keep a can of pepper spray on me and will not hesitate to spray an uncontrolled dog if I ever felt threatened.

 

[avenger79]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

this almost sounds like maybe one of the cats might have gotten hurt while the dogs were maybe chasing it around.

if it were mine to deal with, I look at it this way. we live in the sticks and my neighbors have cats. they are outside and do a great job of keeping the mice in check. if the cat is in my yard while the dog (mine) is out, the dog will give chase. I call her off fast as I like the cats there but she is not punished for "protecting" her yard. if she crosses the road into their yard and chases the cats she knows that coming home will be painful. after 4 years she has only crossed the road twice. once as a very young pup and once this summer because she was being dumb and running around at mach 2. no cat chasing just running.
if the dog were to injure or kill a cat I would feel 100% responsible if it were in their yard.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

Your wife took in 3 stray dogs? Ever read stories about strays that run in packs? Good luck with that. I hope there are no small children in the house/immediate area that may be on the receiving end of stray animals.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

Have anybody ever saw a dog that chased down a cat and kill it? forget about it.

 

[NYBo]

Re: So who is to blame?? You make the call.

In a fight between the average cat and the average dog, the cat almost always wins.