Is there anything that can be done?

Notsosharp

Hi,

In our local area there is a man who has a dog that he knows attacks cats. Despite this he lets the dog off the lead and as such it is known to have killed three cats (that we know of - there is a few cats gone missing round where he walks his dog but nothing can be proven). He has been spoken to a few times about this, someones cat came back last year with detached retinas so it was blind and bleeding ears (both injuries consistent with being shook) and the owner spoke to him, he wasn't bothered though, he said as far as he was concerned cats were vermin and should be treated as such!

Anyway last night a friend of mine posted on facebook to say that her son had woken up to hear ferocious barking and it was this man and his dog. When he went outside the man had walked away and left his dog who was attacking a cat. The dog runs off and the man just left an injured cat lying in the road in the cold and snow! They took the cat to the vets and its suffering from shock, hypothermia and other injuries.

The police have been told but they're not sure they can do anything. Is there anything that can be done to stop this man letting his dog kill cats? It's also killed chickens and the situation is just getting ridiculous now, there are always adverts on facebook about missing cats and no one knows how many of these disappearances this man and his dog are behind, there has been a definite increase in missing cats

orlao

This guy sounds horrible!

Sadly, I don't think that the police will do anything regarding a dog attacking cats if they are in public areas - it would be seen as 'natural' behaviour (yeah, I know!). The police are very rarely interested in animal on animal attacks as they regard animals, even pets as property and as a result, they would expect any issues/costs to be dealt with under the county court system.

However, would it be worth talking to your local dog warden? They can be very effective in reminding bad dog owners of their duties as although the police are unlikely to act, IMHO the dog owner is breaking the law under the Dangerous Dog Act as his dog isn't under control in public. If he says that the dog 'is under his control' while he is attacking other animals, that might leave him open to accusations that he is encouraging cruelty/suffering to other animals especially as it appears the dog isn't killing cleanly.Worth a try maybe?

The other thing that might modify his attitude is going after him for the vet bills (unlikely that they would be paid but might make him think twice about his little hobby)

In the meantime, all local cat owners can do is keep their cats in.

BECKIN1507

Some people really shouldn't own dogs!!! I don't think the police will do much, maybe the rspca would have a word with him if they was told he was setting his dog on the cats, maybe if a lot of people complain to the police they may get fed up and try and do something about it. I actually have a dog myself that would probably kill a strange cat if given the chance, he is walked with a muzzle on or he doesn't get let off, I'm really not sure why some people will not muzzle dogs known to be aggressive! I hope you manage to get something sorted.

LutonGirl

Have you thought of going to the local press? I know you can't name this guy but a description of the dog and a warning to cat owners in the area to keep a close eye on their pets might help. There are some sick b'stards out there. Lets keep our pets safe. It might be a child next.

krlyr

In terms of criminal law, the police are right, there may not be much they can do. Even a dog-dog attack is a civil case rather than criminal - and wih a cat's "right to roam" they often are considered more like wild animals (e.g. a motorist doesn't have to report hitting a cat, whereas they do for a dog)
You might be able to go down the "out of control in a public space" stance - you may be better off expressing the risk to the public rather than to the cats, e.g. what happened if this dog darted across a road to a cat infront of a car? It may not just be cats injured or killed, but people too.
The other poster may have a point in regards to it being a cruelty case too - the RSPCA might be willing to get involved if it could be shown (witnesses, vet statements, etc?) that the man is purposely inflicting pain on the cats with his actions.
The cat owners may be able to go down the route of suing him for damage to property, too, which may make him think twice about letting his dog off-lead when there's a financial consequence.

Other than that I'd suggest the cat owners keep their cats in, or catproof their gardens - the above actions may not work, or may take time (or money in terms of taking the man to court as a civil case). While they cannot control this man's actions, they can control theirs in terms of letting the cats into an environment where it is known there is someone like this around.

georgiesmum

Leave some poisoned meat for it;:mad:
stand back and wait for fireworks lol

3v3

georgiesmum wrote: »

Leave some poisoned meat for it;:mad:
stand back and wait for fireworks lol

Two wrongs do not make it right

The owner is responsible for the dogs behaviour.

lisajane8482

This man sounds like vermin, if I saw a dog attacking a cat and the owner stood there watching I wouldn't think twice about taking a shovel to both the dog and the man. I think it's shocking that nothing can be done. Makes me glad my cats are house cats.

southcoastrgi

LutonGirl wrote: »

Have you thought of going to the local press? I know you can't name this guy

i wouldn't hesitate in a heartbeat about naming him & posting his & the dogs picture

georgiesmum

3v3 wrote: »

Two wrongs do not make it right

The owner is responsible for the dogs behaviour.

You are right of course. It was "tongue in cheek" remark. But if any dog savaged my cats wouldn't hesitate to take revenge, especially ( preferably ) on the owner.

Notsosharp

southcoastrgi wrote: »

i wouldn't hesitate in a heartbeat about naming him & posting his & the dogs picture

I've just heard back this afternoon; the cat had severe internal injuries and had to be PTS. He did have owners and he was called Whiskers, they are understandably gutted.

The dog originally belonged to the Battersea dog's home; this man wasn't the original adopter so there is a good chance if we can establish with the dogs home that he has come from there then they may take him back. I don't think you are allowed to give dogs to someone else; you're meant to hand them back to the rescue.

The police and the RSPCA are now involved so no one is doing anything until all the official channels have been exhausted. If nothing is done I am seriously considering going to the local paper.

Everyone knows who he is and if I were him I would not be going down any dark alleys in a hurry HOWEVER I am worried the recriminations will come back on the dog and this would not be fair.