neighborhood pettiquette

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maryannk - 26 Oct 2006 18:14 GMT

Hi all! I've been a lurker for a few months, so I might as well
introduce myself! I am owned and operated by two little furballs.
They're each a year and a half old and are littermates. Elfie-Welfie
is a girly gray tabby and Panguitch is a manly orange tabby.

My cats are primarily indoor, but I let them out for a "promenade" each
afternoon for 3 hours or so. They just love spending time outside. I
live in a community that has low traffic and there is a wooded area
that my cats like to spend time in. (Don't worry, they've got rabies
AND fel. leukemia vaccines.)

My concern is with some neighborhood dogs. My cats will occasionally
follow leashed dogs, but they lose interest once they accept that the
dog is not threatening their territory. There's one particular pair of
dogs in the neighborhood that really concern me.

I've not met these dogs, but my boyfriend has met them and their owner
several times. Their owner always tells him that their dogs have killed
cats in the past and that we should be careful of our cats. These dogs
to not wear muzzles or any protective device to keep their snouts from
harming innocent creatures. I'm very concerned that these dogs have
killed cats and I'm also concerned that this woman might not be able to
control her dogs. These dogs have chased my kitties up trees WHILE
LEASHED several times.

Is it proper for me to strongly suggest that this woman muzzle her
dogs? Local laws only require leashes for dogs. There are no laws
saying my kitties can't go for a walk outside and I'd hate for
something bad to happen. Has anyone had similar problems with neighbors
who own dangerous dogs? Any advice on how to diplomatically handle this
situation would be appreciated.

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Jo Firey - 26 Oct 2006 18:39 GMT

> Hi all! I've been a lurker for a few months, so I might as well
> introduce myself! I am owned and operated by two little furballs.
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> who own dangerous dogs? Any advice on how to diplomatically handle this
> situation would be appreciated.

OK. I'm not much in favor of the "would you rather be right or would you
rather be happy" school. But I think it applies in this cast.

What is your primary concern. Making her control her dogs or protecting
your cats. You really only have complete control of one by keeping your
cats in. If her dogs are on a leash it sounds like she is complying with
the law. Even if she were required to put muzzles on them your cats would
be the ones to suffer for it if she forgot.

So either keep them in if you are that concerned of the risk.

Jo

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jmcquown - 27 Oct 2006 04:30 GMT

>> Hi all! I've been a lurker for a few months, so I might as well
>> introduce myself! I am owned and operated by two little furballs.
>> They're each a year and a half old and are littermates. Elfie-Welfie
>> is a girly gray tabby and Panguitch is a manly orange tabby.

Hi :)

>> My cats are primarily indoor, but I let them out for a "promenade"
>> each afternoon for 3 hours or so. They just love spending time
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Jo

Also there are a number of enclosures which can be built or purchased which
would allow your cats outdoor access while keeping them right there where
you can keep an eye on them. From the OP's original comments, it appears
this neighbor doesn't seem overly concerned about other peoples pets so even
discussing it would probably be an exercise in futility.

Jill

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Dewi - 27 Oct 2006 02:26 GMT

Hi and welcome. I like the names of your cats. Where did you get the
name Panguitch from?

If it's possible keep your cats inside. You'll have peace of mind and
your cats will more than likely get use to it.

However, even if you keep your cats indoors, if you're comfortable
doing it, have a chat with the lady about muzzling her dogs while they
are not confined in her yard. All cats (stray and pets) and other small
animals are at risk of her dogs attacking. It would be the responsible
and considerate thing for the dog owner to do. Talk to her nicely and
calmly though. At the very least she will entertain the idea. Maybe
it's worth checking up with your local council again about their rules
regarding muzzling dogs. There may be some wildlife protection laws
requiring some dogs to be muzzled.

Good luck.
Dewi.

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Julie and Sam - 27 Oct 2006 03:39 GMT

Welcome to the family, grab a cat and cuppa your favorite brew and sit down
and share stories with us.

In your situation, I think I would try to get friendly with this neighbor
and then see if its possible to work out a schedule with her so that your
cats are not outside when she walks her dogs. This way you can maintain a
positive relationship with this woman. Start the conversation by admiring
the dogs and see if they'll let you pet them.

Julie with Hobbes (20 lb, diabetic orange tabby), Lacey (teenage juvie), Sam
(I have a one-true-home, asthmatic, cancer survivor) and Barnabus (daClown).

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sriddles@aol.com - 27 Oct 2006 05:33 GMT

First, welcome to the group!
As for your quandary, I think I'd rather err on the side of caution,
even if the cats aren't happy about it. It only takes one, tragic
moment and your babies are gone forever.
Maybe you can develop enough of a relationship with the neighbor so
that you can alternate their outdoor time with the dogs' walk time.
Establish an hour with the neighbor that her dogs won't be putting the
cats at risk.
I know it sounds harsh, but you *can* make them stay in. I did that
with mine, and they were much like your cats, they were accustomed to
spending time outside. They really didn't fuss about it as much as I
thought they would.
Good luck. Hope they stay safe.

Sherry

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mlbriggs - 27 Oct 2006 06:21 GMT

Keep the cats in the house then you won't have to worry. Also, perhaps
you could build an enclosure in your back yard where the cats would be
safe.

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maryannk - 27 Oct 2006 13:48 GMT

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I don't have much of a yard, but
I doubt my neighbors would mind if I put a cat enclosure in the
communal yard area. I think my cats would tolerate an enclosure... I'd
have to ask them first!

I think I'm going to go the route of getting to know this neighbor,
finding out the circumstances under which these dogs killed cats (my
boyfriend always neglects to get the important details!), and see if
she'll be willing to tell me her dog walking schedule. She works a 9-5
job, so I'm sure she has a regular schedule.

Unfortunately, keeping the kitties in would be a bit difficult. They're
young and extremely energetic. I play with them as much as I possibly
can and they have more toys than a kitty could dream of, but it's still
not enough to keep them from zooming around my bedroom all night long.
When I introduced outdoor time, they got their excercise and I started
getting my sleep. Also, Panguitch stopped his habit of jumping at my
legs and sinking his claws into them as if I were a tree. Now he has
trees to sink his claws into instead of my legs!

Panguitch is a Navajo name. There is a town in Utah called Panguitch.
It's quite close to Bryce Canyon. I was on a trip there a few months
before my kitties were born and I drove past a sign saying "Welcome to
Panguitch!" I knew at that instant that I wanted to name one of my
future kitties Panguitch.

> > Hi all! I've been a lurker for a few months, so I might as well
> > introduce myself! I am owned and operated by two little furballs.
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
> you could build an enclosure in your back yard where the cats would be
> safe.

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