Cats and cranky old neighbors

[Wifezilla]

Naaa. Nice and subtle.

 

[33yardbirds]

You didn't say if your .22 was a pistol or rifle. If a rifle and it is capable of shooting shorts the shot will be barley heard. More like ; phiit than a crack. Your other problem is you say he is a sot and that can be harder to deal with than the cat. The sheriff said pop the cat sooooooo, whats the problem.

 

[BarbK]

Ok Couple of posts to answer.

I can't Close up the barn due to the fact I have a run in for the horse and goats. I can't just lock them out or in. It's not fair to them.

My rabbits don't free rang they are kept in cages. I made a goof that has been corrected when ordering the cages. I thought I had ordered baby saver and did not so the cat was able to reach in the cages and fish out a baby. It has also been caught sitting on top and under the cages. Yesterday it almost attacked my 7yr old when she was feeding and watering the rabbits as part of her normal chores.

I contacted the sheriff and he has told me to shoot it because I need to protect my property. The same IN Code 15-30-2 even though it states for dogs works for cats. He did give me a resource to call and check on a trap but they no longer loan traps. The only places I have found are out of county and they only lend to county residence.

The neighbor is not the type to kill (at least as far as I know). He most likely caught (the barn/dump cats were very friendly) and rehomed them. At least they were all neutered befor they left. No biggie as long as they are taken care of. I did have to cancel the new home I had found for one.

When the budget gets back under control due to the unforseen issues I will be purchasing a trap but until then the .22 is a long rifle (can't shoot a pistol worth crap) and I will have to deal with his cat anyway I can. I do hate to shoot it but I will not tolerate an animal that shows aggression to a human. In some ways a cat can do more damage to a human than a dog can. I have also been doing some target practice to learn the borrowed rifle and to make it so they won't know for sure when/if I do have a chance to SSS.

 

[MysticScorpio82]

I do hate to shoot it but I will not tolerate an animal that shows aggression to a human.

I agree completely! Especially unprovoked aggression to a 7 year old child.

I am like you, I don't like to kill and I tend to try to avoid it; however when push comes to shove I WILL defend my family and my animals. They are my responsibility and they are looking to me for protection. I am lucky enough to have an awesome neighbor who will take care of problem predators for me (he is a good shot. He has been trained with guns and gun safety since he was 12).

I hope you can remove this cat before he ends up really hurting someone or something. I used to work at the local hospital here, and cat bites are not something to fool around with. I have seen many people have had cat bites go septic because of all the germs in a cat's mouth.​

 

[Keara]

It should be shot and tested for rabbies! Keep your kid safe, that is the most important thing.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Since the cat attacked (or tried to) a child, the sheriff probably has more leeway and responsibility towards capturing it. I would recommend that you call again and tell them about it attacking your child. Depending on whether he states that he can come take care of it or not, then call your pound/animal control or even the ASPCA or Humane Society. I know that here the pound will not come out to capture loose animals; that changes dramatically if the animal attacks a human.

 

[Tomhusker]

Once a child became part of the equation the cat should have been dealt with immediately. You are a marksman and a mother. Use one skill to punctuate the other.

 

[33yardbirds]

You can tape some cotton around the muzzle, sort of a crude silencer. It dosen't affect accuracy. Ah the things we learn as kids.

 

[chickenzoo]

Can you just put a note in his mailbox that his cat is harassing your rabbits and went after your daughter, and if he'd please keep it contained, as you do not want to have to hurt it ?

 

[ladytoysdream]

I go with SSS .........shoot, shovel, and shut up.

Years ago, we had a big dog coming onto our property, going into our hen house
and helping himself. Daily. I called the law officer and he said to shoot it,
if I caught it in the act.
So the dog comes up the driveway, and I grab the gun, and head out to the
back room. Open the window a crack, and when the dog heads for the coop,
I dropped him with one shot. The hubby buried him out back. Never had anyone
ask about their dog being missing. At that time, I was able to get some money
from the county for the chickens that I lost to the dog.
Our 4 kids would not go outside to play because they were afraid of that dog.