Cats and cranky old neighbors

[BarbK]

Update: I have taken to sitting in the barn and waiting for the cat to come over. I know I keep missing it because of the weeds. I think now I will start sitting on the back porch. As a precaution my DD has been going out to do chores with myself or the dog. Next week I should be able to buy a trap but I still have the borrowed 22 till Mon. or Tues. Then in Sept. I will be purchasing a rifle of our own. And for those that are picking up that I don't have much money you are right but stay off the high horse. We have lived on this property for 14 months since we got the mortgage (5K down). Since then we have had a wedding, a 20K barn built, a 3.5K drain tile put in, a 3k drive fix, the first phase of a pasture put in $500, and now we are replacing windows for 10k. total spent in the last 14 months 50K, that leaves a very tight budget when the household brings in 30k/yr don't ya think?

For you city people out in the boonies where I live they don't have an SPCA. The closest one is 40 miles away and a JOKE!!!!!
I am trying to NOT cause any more issues with my neighbors that is why I am trying to keep it to ourselves. We have a MAJOR issue on our property and we need thier cooperation. Because the old man knows it all and his cat is perfect all talking to him will do is cause a pissing match and an issue.

When the cat is spotted and can be dispatched it will be done. For the person that mentioned the nipple.... I would have never thought about that thanks!!!!!!

 

[Stonerowfarm]

Do all the venting here that you need to do and simply ignore those that flame. We have to manage our farms in a way that works the best for us. It's our money, time, blood, sweat, and tears that build them up from nothing. So, please don't feel that you have to justify your actions to anyone. It's nobody's business what you spend your money on, or whether or not you can purchase a trap. It's also no one's business if you chose to SSS versus trap. That is totally your decision based on what works for you and your farm. Personally I don't like to see any animal dispatched, however if it's me or mine versus them or theirs - guess who wins out.

Good luck with your pest. I hope you can get the matter resolved quickly without any further loss.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Quote:
You don't need to explain your finances to anyone! it's your animals and if something is hurting them, get rid of it. I had a neighbor that had beagles, they would come over and literally pull the hide off of my rabbits through their cages underneath...not a good sight to see them suffering and I had to finish them off. I gave the neighbor one warning, this was after his Rottweiler killed my pot bellied pig...needless to say. I just shot the dogs and then told him I did it. You can't keep your dogs in your yard to stop them from destroying my property...I CAN.!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Cats are probably the most controversial issue worldwide. Why do leash laws apply to dogs and not cats?
First of all, your neighbor has a lot of nerve complaining about your animals leaving your property if his are doing the same.
I agree that any domestic animal should be kept on ones property including chickens, in fact that is the only chicken regulation where I live. One must keep them home.
My feeling is that cats are an invasive species. I like cats, but - hence the name - housecat. They should be kept in the house.
The thought of cats roaming free to kill mice is simply a mindset people have gotten used to. Similar to the growth of the mindset that roosters shouldn't be crowing in the morning. In some parts of the world people don't need alarm clocks.
But I digress.
I also have a neighbor cat that is perusing my coop, not to mention killing rabbits, my garden pets (native lizards and toads) and the occasional songbird.
My friend suggested hitting it with birdshot to scare it off. If I would do something so drastic, I would choose a .22. If a cat comes home full of birdshot the neighbor knows someone shot it. But if the cat doesn't come home, they don't know how it met its demise. Maybe run over by a car.
Most cat owners who let their cats roam will probably just get another in that case. But if they continually disappear - maybe they'll eventually keep them in the house.
Hawks and snakes and fox are much better rodent control. And they're native.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

One point that everyone seems to be overlooking, the neighbor has a drinking problem. I would be quiet about whatever you do. He will become an even bigger problem if you tell him what you've done.

Looks like you won't be able to have any barn cats as long as you have this neighbor.

A neighbor of mine was having trouble with another drunken neighbor who was convinced her dogs were barking all night. He'd threaten her, park out front screaming obscenities, etc...she tried her best
to ignore him. One night while she was away her house sitter thought she heard something outside. In the morning she found my neighbors pet rabbit that was kept on the back porch in a hutch cleanly
decapitated, door of the hutch closed. Now my neighbor has a security gate and cameras. She lives alone and she's afraid. Oh, and those weren't her dogs barking either.

Be careful and vigilant whatever you do. I just feel bad for the cat...never the animals fault yet they always pay the price.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good point. Besides alcohol, some people are simply crazy and don't look at the world the same. We're confused when they behave differently. You sometimes have to remind yourself - this person really belongs in an institution.
And yes definitely don't share information with the demented.

 

[Mattemma]

I would fence my yard,and SSS any problem animals.Also,I would recommend not talking to that neighbor at all.People can be dangerous...add alcohol to that increases your risks.

 

[panner123]

At first I thought you were taking about my brother in law, then I saw you live in IN., not Pa.
You say you can make a clean kill shot, do it. Then SSS, if he can't find the cat, he will just have to think a predator got his cat. You might have even seen a bobcat after it or some other predator. End of story, unless he replaces it. Just make it a clean kill.

 

[DMSrabbit]

Quote:
Hate to say it, but, I agree with this. I have a neighbors cat that does the same thing. I wish i could use this alternative, but i live in a neighborhood..

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quote:
Hate to say it, but, I agree with this. I have a neighbors cat that does the same thing. I wish i could use this alternative, but i live in a neighborhood..

Very high powered pellet guns make little noise and are almost as effective. Crossbow or longbow have no discernible noise.