Hypocritical?

[spartacus_63]

If you live in a rural area, chances are there are no laws requiring animals be restrained. aka leash laws. Animal control would then not be available, unless you trap the cat and take it to them. My humble opinion is that YOU are responsible for YOUR livestock. How you protect your property is your call. As long as you do not violate the law or endanger the neighbors, you are justified in protecting your animals.

Good luck

 

[wildeflowers]

It seems that the OP needs to ensure that their birds ALWAYS stay home before they really have justification for removing Big Cat.

I believe I stated that my flock stays on my property. One reason is that they tend to stay near the coop, and the coop is in the central part of my property, which is large. The other reason is because i am quite careful because I know that they do not want chickens on their property, and I want to ensure that my flock is never a problem for them. I am also of the opinion that MY animals should stay on MY land regardless of others opinions. I take care to ensure that they do not go that far. I never free range them when I'm not home, and I check on them quite frequently. Unfortunately, the hour I was in the house checking on their location from the window was long enough to lose one.

I do live in a rural area, however, there are indeed leash laws for both dogs and cats. However, I don't even think that's relevant. If someone lets an animal roam and it destroys property on someone else's land, it doesn't matter if there are no leash laws. They are still responsible.

Either way, I do think the issue is somewhat temporary. As the chicks get bigger, they will be able to defend themselves from a cat and even if I do nothing, big cat is certain to get himself eater by a coyote if they let him keep roaming. This is more of a intellectual exercise for me in finding out what everyone else would do.

I repeat, that I am going to mention in passing that I lost a chick and that I believe it was to a cat, but I have no plans to make a huge deal out of it. If the cat continues to be a problem or escalates, then I will have to reevaluate my position and knowing what everyone else thinks will help formulate a plan. Thanks for the opinions.​

 

[Mattemma]

I dislike free range cats.They use the area around my home as a toilet or spray to mark the territory.They upset my own fenced in cats,and introduce disease. It is VERY unlikely a neighbor will keep their cat in if you mention your concerns. More likely they will stop talking to you,and also report your animals to AC. Had a neighbor do that same thing to me. Now I just get rid of the cats that come around my home.

A cat enclosure is the best option and you could offer to help them build one.Most however feel a cat *needs* to roam,and most laws allow cats to roam freely.

For the hens you could tie some netting fence to bamboo sticks with zip ties.This way the neighbor can not say the hens stray.AC,if ever called, will see a fence and clean coop,and then be on their merry way.

Yes,I have read the laws about damage to landscape by a pet being the owners responsibility.That means civil court and spending a lot of money TRYING to prove damage,and hoping the judge won't dismiss your case as silly.

I say get rid of the cat.And any future animals that roam your yard that you do not want there.

 

[theFox]

Quote:
You might want to rethink things a bit.

You'll quickly discover that in most states animals that roam are illegal. It has nothing to do with being leashed or in the country.

 

[hallerlake]

I like the paintball gun idea. It will sting enough to discourage the cat from coming back, but won't hurt it seriously. I'm thinking about getting one for the squirrels.

And, yes, it is hypocritical to complain about other people's animals being allowed to roam, when one is allowing one's own animals to roam. One of our cats has figured out how to use the doggy door. The fence is no barrier. Once my old dog is gone, she's going to have to get used to being a house cat again.

 

[spartacus_63]

Quote:
You might want to rethink things a bit.

You'll quickly discover that in most states animals that roam are illegal. It has nothing to do with being leashed or in the country.

I am VERY familiar with the laws in MY rural area and short of civil court with all cost pro se there is nothing the law or animal control can do. Here we have two options; 1 is to capture the animal and deliver it to animal control, pay a fee for dropping them off and be done, 2 protect your animals without violating any other laws or endangering others.

 

[thebirdguy]

Ok... My wife says I am passive aggressive but here's what I would do...

I would go and tell the neighbors that something has killed one of your chickens and that you are setting traps to catch it. Let them know that you have noticed that their cat likes to visit your woods/property and you are concerned that it might accidentally get caught in the traps you are setting. Ask them if they would be so kind as to keep their cat indoors until you catch the guilty culprit as you would hate for anything innocent to be trapped by accident... Then if they agree and keep their cat confined for its safety, you might just accidentally forget to set any traps and you could update them on the lack of success in trapping the culprit but that you are still trying.. If they don't keep the cat inside... then....there are other options...........

 

[TigerLilly]

I live in a semi-rural area of the county (just outside the city limits) and we have leash laws as well for both dogs & cats. Unfortunately, while they are enforced for the dogs, they are NOT so much for the cats. I have started having a problem with neighbors' cats getting into my garbage at night. Thankfully they havent tried the chickens, but I'm pretty sure the goats keep them away from the coop & run areas.
We are also allowed to protect our home, property & livestock/farm animals. You can bet that the first time a neighbor's cat is caught too close to my coop, said cat will, at the very least, be popped with the pellet gun...the first time. After that, it's game on.
That being said, I dispise people that let their animals roam anywhere off their own property. I can't tell you how much energy & money I have had to spend over the years starting off telling the neighbors their dog is digging into my yard, filling in the hole because they refuse to do anything about it, re-inforcing my fence to keep their dogs/cats out, etc. Calling Animal Control was a last ditch effort on the dog situation. A couple of hefty fines later & they finally got the idea.
The cats on the other hand, are a recent problem that will be handled the same way--less the aggravation on my part or money out of my pocket...I try to learn from my mistakes!

I also have a cat, an INSIDE cat & dogs...in general, I love all animals & I actually hate to shoot at any of them (or worse), but it's against the law to do it to the owners...

 

[thebirdguy]

If only we could shoot some owners we could make some progress in the world..

In fact, we should put politicians on that list as well!!

 

[TigerLilly]

Quote:
hmmmm.....X2