Japanese Akita eats cats

Notsosharp

Hay wrote: »

Ummm the Op has an Akita...so apologies for hi-jacking their thread with my staff problems.
I'm not disputing the reasons "why" there are unfortunately so very many staffies up for rehoming I'm merely wishing to make clear that my staff WILL NOT be joining them.We are KC reg,fully insured,obedience trained,double daily walked,dog gated,citronella collared,bloomin as vigilant as we can be but the simple fact is that our staff does not like cats

What came first the staffie or the cats? I don't mean to offend but honestly I think you need to either rehome the staffie or the cats, you can't cling onto them for sentimental reasons because sooner or later that staffie IS going to get one of the cats. If you knew the staffie didn't like cats from the start why on earth get it with cats in the house. Accept that some dogs don't like cats and therefore they should not be homed with them. There are places that will never put a healthy dog down so as long as you made sure it was one of these places I am sure he would be fine. I know its really not fair on the dog to put him in kennels but then again it can't be nice for the cats either.

And as much as I love my dog if he killed or injured one of my cats I am sorry but he would have to go. I would NEVER look at him the same again and I would NEVER trust him again. I have had all of my cats from tiny kittens and I would be devestated if either my dog or someone else's got hold of them and believe me there would be hell to pay for the dogs owner. Why is a dog that attacks cats acceptable?
As for the OP the only thing you really can do is do everything within your power to make sure it never happens again. If it does and the cat's owner knew that you were aware the dog attacks and kills cats they could quite easily sue you I think.

moomin5

Little_Chicken wrote: »

Because if a dog will turn on a smaller animal what's to stop it turning on a small child. This is why many Akitas are not allowed to be re-homed in households with children. You can see this on Battersea, they often get Akitas to rehome. Staffies often have a 'no cats' clause.

Don't get me wrong I'm no dog-hater, but people have to be responsible. I couldn't live with the guilt that my animal had destroyed another persons pets. It's the same when you read about people whose large dogs have killed someone else's smaller one. People need to take responsibility. But, nope we live in a selfish society where we tend to put our own needs first.:rolleyes:

Dogs going after cats is just its hunting instinct, just because we view cats as being pets why should a dog know its not prey? We don't think cats will start attacking kids because they kill birds & mice, tho its more likely down to size than temprement that cats don't cause serious injuries to people. Its up to owners to make sure that their pets are kept safe and not able to to make mistakes.

Can OP padlock the gate so that the gate can't possibly be left open or always supervise the dog while its in the garden? I'm not sure it would be a good idea to leave a muzzle on unsupervised so a kennel and run would be a better solution.

My dogs are not cat friendly and unfortunately my neighbours also have cats that wander through my garden. I usually take the dogs out into garden leashed, so any cats have time to scarper as i also don't want the dogs to get injured trying to chase them. While i wouldn't wish for a roaming cat to be killed in my garden, it is after all my property to enjoy. The dogs arent too bad when they see cats while on walks (always on lead)interested but easily distracted, if they were a worry to cats & small dogs then i'd also muzzle them.

UKTigerlily

moomin5 wrote: »

Dogs going after cats is just its hunting instinct, just because we view cats as being pets why should a dog know its not prey? We don't think cats will start attacking kids because they kill birds & mice. Its up to owners to make sure that their pets are kept safe and not able to to make mistakes.

Can OP padlock the gate so that the gate can't possibly be left open or always supervise the dog while its in the garden? I'm not sure it would be a good idea to leave a muzzle on unsupervised so a kennel and run would be a better solution.

My dogs are not cat friendly and unfortunately my neighbours also have cats that wander through my garden. I usually take the dogs out into garden leashed, so the cats have time to scarper as i also don't want the dogs to get injured trying to chase them. While i wouldn't wish for a roaming cat to be killed in my garden, it is afterall my property to enjoy. The dogs arent too bad when they see cats while on walks (always on lead)interested but easily distracted, if they were a worry to cats & small dogs then i'd also muzzle them.

I think that sums it up pretty well!

1sue23

Hay wrote: »

Ummm the Op has an Akita...so apologies for hi-jacking their thread with my staff problems.
I'm not disputing the reasons "why" there are unfortunately so very many staffies up for rehoming I'm merely wishing to make clear that my staff WILL NOT be joining them.We are KC reg,fully insured,obedience trained,double daily walked,dog gated,citronella collared,bloomin as vigilant as we can be but the simple fact is that our staff does not like cats

My dogs are also KC reg ,fully insured and obedience trained but all of that means nothing to them ,they are animals, no matter how cuddly they are with your children and how nice they are to people ,I think you are inconsiderate to the cats that they have to live with this threat.

Notsosharp

Hay wrote: »

We have this problem with our much loved Staff boy.We have 5 cats which our Rott loves but the staff has almost killed one cat in our kitchen resulting in a very poorly cat/£400 vet bills ,a dislocated pair of thumbs/cats teeth in my arms/scratches for me and him covered in bites.
He then got hold of another cat stupid enough to jump the gates we've put on all doorways to prevent this and hubby(not a small guy)had to literally punch him in the head a few times to get him to release the cat,who was thankfully ok,infact he got the dog far worse!
He is AMAZING with our three young kids,he's probably THE most loving dog I've ever met but he sees a cat and baaam he literally wants to kill it:eek:

I am sorry if I cause you offence Hay but I think that keeping a dog that is known to kill cats in the same house AS cats is irresponsible and foolish in the extreme. How do you think your 5 yo son felt watching the dog he loves literally tearing a cat to pieces and then being kicked in the head by your OH?

The whole point of having pets is to enjoy them and how can you do that if you are constantly on edge in your own house?

But I wouldn't worry too much because I think the dog will have solved the cat problem by killing them all, sorry if that souunds harsh but cats being cats they will jump over gates and therefore its only a matter of time. And its the stupid cat's fault? Which do you love more the cats or the dog? What if next time one of the cats jumps the gate, one of your children see the dog attacking the cat and tries to separate them?

The OP has a point, it is up to YOU to ensure that your animals are kept safe and you cannot possibly do that at the moment.

What will you try next? Keeping a lion in the kitchen and a few sheep/zebras upstairs?

You need to get rid of either the dog or the cats.



This is one of mine btw, needless to say if she was attacked and killed by a dog I would be absolutely devestated.

1sue23

Notsosharp wrote: »

I am sorry if I cause you offence Hay but I think that keeping a dog that is known to kill cats in the same house AS cats is irresponsible and foolish in the extreme. How do you think your 5 yo son felt watching the dog he loves literally tearing a cat to pieces and then being kicked in the head by your OH?

The whole point of having pets is to enjoy them and how can you do that if you are constantly on edge in your own house?

But I wouldn't worry too much because I think the dog will have solved the cat problem by killing them all, sorry if that souunds harsh but cats being cats they will jump over gates and therefore its only a matter of time. And its the stupid cat's fault? Which do you love more the cats or the dog? What if next time one of the cats jumps the gate, one of your children see the dog attacking the cat and tries to separate them?

The OP has a point, it is up to YOU to ensure that your animals are kept safe and you cannot possibly do that at the moment.

What will you try next? Keeping a lion in the kitchen and a few sheep/zebras upstairs?

You need to get rid of either the dog or the cats.

My thoughts entirely .

lowis

if i had a dog that hated cats so much that i had to kick it in the head to release it's jaw from my other pet, i would rehome the dog...the dog needs to be in a cat-free environment, it can't enjoy being kicked in the head everytime it gets hold of a cat, and the cats are living in constant danger of being ripped to shreds

this must be such a stressful situation for you to live with, especially as your son is so attached. i hope it works out positively in the end.

OP - i am cat lover and i think it is great that you are looking to solve this problem, some people wouldn't even bother.

sturll

Thank you all for your comments, the reason i posted on here was to get a mix of advice and information and even opinion.

A few things, of the 3 cats 1 has been killed in my garden and 2 have been killed when she has escaped. As i said i live in a village so sadly its not as easy as erecting a 12 foot fence with inch spacing but believe me i have tried to do what i can. I will take the advice on board and hopefully get this sorted out.

As for putting her down this (as arrogant as this may sound) is simply not an option. I have had her for 11 years and consider her part of the family, how could i possibly find it within me to take her life for doing what is essentially her instinct.

In regards to my children - they are aged 7,4 and 1. Not once, as she ever been anything other than a friend, a protector and a good ride for them. I am serious, i put her harness on and children when younger would ride around the garden on her. In the summer when she was sprawled out bathing they would lie with her. In terms of humans she has nothing but respect and love. Even the postman comes in when she is outside. I really cannot express how gentle this animal is.

However, when it comes to cats that changes and that is the problem. It would be interesting to know why she has never actually eaten one though? She for whatever reason inflicts brutality upon it and then finds satisfaction. Again, i more or less let the first cat go, i assumed it must have been on a suicide mission since it had come in my garden. (looking back i wish id addressed this issue then) But knowing that she leaves the garden when she gets opportunity to find a cat is disturbing and hence why i have to do something about it. I mean there are miles and miles of fields surrounding me she could really let herself go but she doesnt, she wonders down the road and finds a cat and then simply came home.

Thank you again for all your advice. I am going on holiday today (friend is looking after my house and dog) and when i return i will be sure to put into action some of the suggestions. I will update this in the future to let you know what worked.

Thank you again and hope you all have a wonderful new year.

Mutter_2

Ian_W wrote: »

Rather than using the word "animals" shouldn't that be dogs?

Whilst I agree that this dogs behaviour OUTSIDE the confines of it's home and garden is totally unacceptable and needs to be addressed, what about cat owners who allow their cats to wander willy nilly into everyone else's gardens? "Ah" ... I hear you say ... "it's in the cats nature" ... :rolleyes:

Our 2 dogs [fox-terriers] recently chased but fortunately didn't catch a cat in our garden. I didn't see it before I let them out [otherwise I obviously wouldn't have] but it was adjacent to the area where our bird feeders are located. No doubt a case of hunter turned hunted!!

I will take note of the helpful suggestions about cat-proofing the garden made earlier, but isn't that rather a case of me having to try and modify someone elses animals behaviour? I certainly won't be muzzling them both in their garden though!

Smooth or wire? Wonderful breed. Hope you didn't get them as puppies, that's another no no. Have to be rescue of course.:rolleyes:

Whatever Ian, animals, dogs, anything. Anything rather than "my little girl","this little boy". Worse............. Oh my goodness, "Fur baby"
If you wish to take advantage of the overhanging cat proof fence plan, do so.
However, the last time I saw such an arrangement was in "The Great Escape"

To the OP. Just lock the flipping garden gate from inside as I do. My garden is so secure that even a hedgehog can't enter.

Must make a hole for them to enter, note to myself.

Soubrette

Anyhoo, I didn't say a dog that attacked a cat would attack a kid, just that it has to be a consideration.

You are wrong but it seems are not able to change your mind on that point - the two behaviours are not linked. It is not a consideration, although Foreign Correspondent put it much better than I did Kids and dogs should always be supervised.

At the end of the day it is our responsibility to monitor our animals behaviour. Any dog can be muzzled with patience. Or supervised when in the garden to ensure that it cannot get into trouble.

Indeed, which is exactly what I personally do, although supervision in a large garden is much more difficult.

Simply shrugging our shoulders and saying certain things are in an animal's nature is not good enough. We have to be responsible and minimise these behaviours.

I do hope that you are not ascribing that argument to me, although I cannot see anyone else who has used that phrase - one of my pet hates is when people present and argue against a position that no one has actually taken.

However, I actually agree with you on this one - we do have a responsibility to minimise these behaviours although I see very few cat owners make any effort at all eg litter training their cats so they do not poo in other people's gardens would be an excellent start.

The OP is asking for advice and for myself I do minimise the risks as far as possible.

Many people in the UK just can't be bothered. Hence the number of staffies up for re-homing. They can be highly strung, and need time and effort put into training them, but people just can't be bothered. And it's the animals that suffer.

Makes me mad, but I probably didn't need to tell you that!

I agree but the OP in this instance certainly can be bothered as shown by this thread and no one who has posted has minimised or 'shrugged' a shoulder at the behaviour of his dog.

Sou