I have my dogs in a well kept, well fenced yard. The new neighbors let their cat out and it walked into our yard and the dogs caught him. He died later at the vet’s. I have apologized but don’t necessarily feel responsible as the cat was loose. What would you do?
If your dog was contained in your yard, and that’s where it got ahold of the cat, do not offer anything more than the apology.
[QUOTE=marianne;8070176]
I have my dogs in a well kept, well fenced yard. The new neighbors let their cat out and it walked into our yard and the dogs caught him. He died later at the vet’s. I have apologized but don’t necessarily feel responsible as the cat was loose. What would you do?[/QUOTE]
I would do what you did. The way I see it, your dogs were properly contained. Unfortunately dogs are dogs and may go after a cat in their yard. How sad for the cat and your neighbors. Animals outside of their owner’s control face many risks - cars, other animals, poisons on other people’s property. If I ever have a cat again, it will be strictly indoors.
Carefully consider, however, that your neighbors may retaliate against your dogs. I don’t know what the relationship is or isn’t or what type of people they are, but if your dogs are unattended in a fence at least consider that they could be at risk.
No advice, really, but I just wanted to say I’m sorry that this happened to you. I can imagine that you must feel awful, even though you’re not responsible. I think you’ve done the right thing by apologizing, but not offering to cover vet costs. 
Very sad all around. Not your responsibility but a sympathy card or flowers may be welcome.
Different situation, my neighbor’s dog got loose and killed one of my chickens and injured 2, I was very upset, here if a dog kills livestock the dog can be shot on site, that being said I was really appreciative that their children (who were responsible for the dog being loose) brought flowers and a card, they offered to replace the chicken and pay for meds, but the flowers and sincerity kept me from harboring anger. Thankfully it also has not happened again and they have become better neighbors. Obviously in this case it was their fault but a little kindness goes a long way regardless of fault.
Sadly, this has happened to ME…MY OWN dogs killed a barn cat not saavy enough to stay out of their fenced acreage…
I beat myself up about it, but the truth is, not much could have been done…I have a barn, well cared for barn cats, and sometimes things happen. If I am the one to leave barn cats loose, then I am the one to incur medical bills and heartache when something happens. Same with your neighbor.
But YES, a sincere,heartfelt apology would go a long way in this situation.
And, as added protection for my OWN cats, I always muzzle my dogs when they go out first thing in the morn, JUST in case a foolhardy cat has spent the night in the dogs’ yard and is still lingering. And after dark, I muzzle them when they go out,so they cannot surprise any cats. It has saved my heart and cats’ hide on more than one occasion.
I’m not going to be popular here. I wouldn’t keep a cat-killing dog no matter how or where the dog got access to the cat. There are strong reasons to keep a cat indoors – in some areas it might even be the law. In places where it is NOT the law, I think there should be the expectation that my neighbor’s dog will not kill my cat. Because dogs do not, in general, kill cats.
The law is on your side, even for vet bills and such. I personally couldn’t live with myself OR the dog.
[QUOTE=JoZ;8070396]
I’m not going to be popular here. I wouldn’t keep a cat-killing dog no matter how or where the dog got access to the cat. There are strong reasons to keep a cat indoors – in some areas it might even be the law. In places where it is NOT the law, I think there should be the expectation that my neighbor’s dog will not kill my cat. Because dogs do not, in general, kill cats.
The law is on your side, even for vet bills and such. I personally couldn’t live with myself OR the dog.[/QUOTE]
I would suggest you never have a dog with a high prey drive. Some dogs absolutely “generally” will kill cats, especially if the cat runs.
I won’t have a cat killing dog either. I got rid of one that was chasing the cats with intent to kill them.
I have a ton of dogs, more than most people, and right now have a BC/Chow that grew up on a chain before he was mine and he thought he was going to chase cats but has been corrected.
I’ve had Aussies, Blackmouth Curs, GSD, GP, a variety of mutts and mixes and don’t allow chasing of anything.
I have a theory that dog chase/fetch games and toys with squeakers bring out the chase and kill in a dog.
And watch out for small kids around dogs that allowed to indulge in their high prey drive.
[QUOTE=JoZ;8070396]
I’m not going to be popular here. I wouldn’t keep a cat-killing dog no matter how or where the dog got access to the cat. There are strong reasons to keep a cat indoors – in some areas it might even be the law. In places where it is NOT the law, I think there should be the expectation that my neighbor’s dog will not kill my cat. Because dogs do not, in general, kill cats.
The law is on your side, even for vet bills and such. I personally couldn’t live with myself OR the dog.[/QUOTE]
I can understand that, but if everyone felt that way, there would be a lot less Greyhounds, Malamutes, etc. Those breeds, in general, do often kill cats. Some breeds don’t generally kill cats. And some dogs do kill cats outside but not inside. However, I don’t agree that there should be an expectation that the neighbor’s dog won’t kill your cat. My expectation would be that if I choose to allow my cat to roam the neighborhood, then I’m taking the risk that the car will encounter cars, potentially things such as antifreeze, wild animals such as coyotes, and properly contained dogs. It is a risk - often legal, but a risk - to allow cats to roam.
We had a huge old dog called Buck that would pursue stray cats. I know of one he killed that was dumped off on our property- I witnessed it. It was awful. But he did not even look at our cats, ever.
I’m so sorry for all involved. What a sad ordeal.
Not popular here either…I would not own dogs that kill cats…too much of a liability. Cats are not really containable per se. If dogs will go after cats they will go after other things. I personally just would not do it. I would try my best to mend fences with the neighbor as best that I could.
Horrid–that really sucks. Sometimes dogs in groups will do stuff they wouldn’t on their own. This is why the two loose, intact rotties by my sister’s house make me so nervous about my nephew (I love rotties, so that’s not it). But your dogs were in your fenced yard. I remember years ago when my dogs went after a cat that came into the yard, but the cat turned around and scared the crap out of them. However if that cat had ran instead…I don’t know. The one dog had crazy prey drive (bunny killer extraordinaire). Her biggest regret in life was she never caught a squirrel, in fact she was tracking one with her eyes when the lights went out.
It’s weird, because I have two indoor cats, but I’m SURE she would have chased and probably killed that strange cat. I managed to get outside after the cat had already escaped (caught it all from a window). She was great on leash, btw, titled in obedience, canine good citizen, etc. Never an issue in public, under my control. I wouldn’t have gotten rid of her if she had killed that cat I guess. I think it would be situational.
I remember when I got my first cat, being new to cats, I bought a book on them. It said that the average outdoor cat lives four years and the average indoor was like 15+. Not that it makes this better, but letting your cats roam is definitely a risk, although I usually see them on the roadside. My husband saw a big hawk catch a cat last week. That was new (and horrible). But enough rambling from me.
What ThistleDew said! I doesn’t matter what the law says–in affairs of the heart (love of an animal) all that matters is what the aggrieved owner is feeling and thinking. A little empathy goes a long way for keeping your dogs safe in their own yard by diffusing the temptation of retribution on your neighbor’s part. 
I, personally, never allowed my cats outside unattended and rarely took them out of the house–it’s just too risky!!!
I think I might think twice about the dogs–what if the cat were a toddler? Maybe nothing, but I wouldn’t want to find out either…
Thanks for all the replies. We used to have cats but both my son and I am highly allergic to cats. So our dogs have been “catbroken”. I have no idea what set these two off; if they played off each other or what. They are good on leash around small animals and very obedient. This was in their yard that is well maintained. As for those who would not keep such a dog, what would you do with them?-put them to sleep? rehome so that is someone else’s problem. We have had these two for the last 4 years and this is the first time this has happened.
Why would a toddler come into her fenced yard?
I don’t think any dogs should be left unattended with toddlers period. Even the dogs who love kids. It’s cruel to the dogs. Toddlers are little eye gouging fiends. I say that with great love and affection for my toddler nieces. Because I love them and my dogs, they don’t get turned out together.
This is a good reminder that dogs are dogs, and animals with generations of hunting bred into them–even those that exhibit little prey drive. It is always good to be vigilant.
Sympathy is good. Obviously you are upset, and distraught at what happened. This is good to share. I would also be concerned about retribution. Are the dogs in the yard unattended (like when you are at work)?
Cats are not really containable per se.
They absolutely are. It’s called keeping them in your house.
[QUOTE=JoZ;8070396]
I’m not going to be popular here. I wouldn’t keep a cat-killing dog no matter how or where the dog got access to the cat. There are strong reasons to keep a cat indoors – in some areas it might even be the law. In places where it is NOT the law, I think there should be the expectation that my neighbor’s dog will not kill my cat. Because dogs do not, in general, kill cats.
The law is on your side, even for vet bills and such. I personally couldn’t live with myself OR the dog.[/QUOTE]
Why should there be an expectation that the neighbor’s dog won’t kill your cat? Your loose cat. Your loose cat on their land? Your cat is most likely killing their baby rabbits, song birds etc. Doesn’t the neighbor have the right to the expectation that those creatures are safe from domestic animals on their land if that’s what they want? I have cats that wander. One has been shot, he’s still around- has three legs now but still around. I gave up all expectations of them being safe when I decided they were outside cats to help keep down any mice around the garage/barn.
OP- not your fault, not your dogs fault, not the cats fault, it’s the cat owners fault. Sad lesson learned on their part.
[QUOTE=marianne;8070481]
As for those who would not keep such a dog, what would you do with them?-put them to sleep? rehome so that is someone else’s problem. We have had these two for the last 4 years and this is the first time this has happened.[/QUOTE]
I can’t say what I’d do because I am unabashedly a cat person. Or, to be more accurate, I could say what I would do but I wouldn’t expect this to be how others would approach the situation. I did have a young dog put to sleep who was a killer of small dogs. Yes, plural, because we missed/overlooked the signs with the first one.
We have had some sweet dogs at the farm but I never encourage interaction with the cats. I kind of hate when a cat starts following me around and hanging with the dogs during chores. I would HOPE that dog friend would not be confused with (a) strange dog or (b) coyote, but I’d rather that the cat’s instinct were to run or fight, not to let him/herself get in an untenable situation. I wonder how your dogs caught the cat – stealth? greater speed? or the cat didn’t see them as a threat? I’m digressing but I think about the interactions a lot. Cats can be kept indoors but, um, BARN CATS cannot be.
[QUOTE=europa;8070453]
Cats are not really containable per se. [/QUOTE]
Uh, yes they are. You keep them INSIDE.
My springer is absolutely wonderful with our cats and rabbits. But I don’t think for a second that an outside cat would be safe. She is encouraged to go after birds, so I could see her making the “outside animal” vs “indoor animal” distinction. Would I feel bad? Yes. Would I get rid of the dog? Hell no.
You let your cat outside, barn cat or not, you expose them to great number of risks. It’s not the responsibility of others to look after your (general you) cat.
