i need some help as soon as possible.

[agnes_day]

ok..my neighbors have a bunch of cats, and one of them is coming over and killing my chickens. i thought we had the problem solved but no, it struck again today. i wrote them a letter telling them that i would be setting traps to rid the neighborhood of strays and that they should please keep their cats in if they didnt want them taken to the pound. well, they sent back a snotty message saying that they had checked the code on chickens and goats etc etc and they would be calling animal control as well.
i looked at the code before i got my goats and it says that in sapulpa oklahoma, livestock is any animal used for food, fur or anything like that and that "large animals" that arent allowed in city limits or without a huge amount of land include sheep, pigs, and goats, or any other animal over 25 pounds. i figured that since they are pets, and they arent going to be over 25 pounds that i am in the clear. am i wrong? i dont want to lose my pets or have to up and move (which i would) because some jerk cant handle being asked to keep his cats locked up. they get into my attic and fight, these cats are terrible and i have called the pound on them over that too because talking to these people isnt cutting it. anyways, the guy and my husband got into an argument in the street and the guy basically said we are going to see what hes going to do and all of that.

 

[WalkingWolf]

Sorry to hear about your neighbor. You should check with your zoning board first thing Monday morning. At least that way you will know where you stand on the code or zoning ordinances. Maybe your neighbor is bluffing, and after things calm down the cat might wonder off and never come back.

 

[agnes_day]

well thats the thing..this cat has come back time and time again..ive tried trapping it before but it was too smart. i know where i stand with the chickens, but im not too worried about them, i can hide them if it came to that but the goat thing i thought for sure was taken care of, or will they allow their words to be taken that literally?

 

[chickenannie]

Do they know that their cat is killing your pets?

I can't imagine that even a jerky cat owner would be happy that their pet is killing you pets.

 

[Buster]

People get hyper-sensitive when Fido or Kitty run off and cause problems and it comes back on them. Trouble is, if they want to keep their pets healthy and happy they need to keep them home. I've trapped dozens of cats in the past and taken them to the pound. I've shot dogs. I never say a word to the neighbors. If they cared they would keep their pet home. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I assume a certain risk by free-ranging my chickens. When others choose to free-range their dogs and cats, they assume the same risk.

I'm not sure what to tell you on the goats. You may just have to see what animal control has to say and go from there and fight city hall if you have to.

 

[agnes_day]

how do you fight city hall?
i mean...animal control cant just up and take off with my animals can they? thats what i am afraid of. they know its their cat and last weekend when their cats where in MY attic fighting, we told them that too. they are so aware of all of this but yet they let these stupid cats out. if someone told me that my cat was doing this, i would be mortified and try to make amends. these people are acting as if i have ruined their world by asking them to please not let their cats come over to do whatever.

 

[redhen]

you were too nice and forewarned them...well..NOW, i really would be trapping all their cats!...

 

[Buster]

If it's against the city code to have goats you will probably have to try to get city hall to change the ordinance. I know people have done such things but I've never done it myself so I don't know the particulars. I'm not sure what will happen with the goats in the mean time. I hope they aren't able to just come take them but I don't know how they would handle things like that.

I would definitely start trapping cats if I were you. Trap trap trap and don't say anything at all to your neighbor about them ever again. They've been warned already and you already know what to expect from them.

Also, maybe they are just threatening and nothing will come of it, I'm not sure, but I'd definitely take care of their cat problem for them.

Get a live trap and a can of tuna fish. Break the seal on the can in a few places but don't take the lid all the way off. This keeps each cat from getting a free meal and you from having to buy a half-ton of tuna. The tuna smell will bring them fast and easy. Just haul them to the pound as you get them.

 

[Ellie_NY_chick]

Quote:
Yes, they can just take them if they're illegal, your neighbors complain and they want to be jerks about it. I doubt they would do that with no warning but stranger things have happened.

You should find out what your zoning law says specifically about your animals. Good luck.

 

[agnes_day]

oh i plan on it now! i have tried and tried to be nice to these people but its like they cant be bothered to take care of their animals..of course, these are the same idiots that put a yorkshire terrier in with their huge dalmations that tore it apart! i only know about it because the cops came to my door by accident but that just insane! and now to think i might lose my animals because they want to be petty. i still think, going by the wording of the statutes that the goats are ok..but i am afraid that monday morning they will come and take all my pets away