Should cat owners keep their pets on their own property or let them fowl other peoples gardens etc.?
As an owner of six cats, I can say that cats should be able to go outside and get some fresh air, same as dogs, but the leash law applies to kitties as well! Legally, you can’t let your cat run rampant in neighbouring yards. Cats can be destructive to property, and if they are messing up your neighbours yards, you neighbours have the right to file a complaint with your local Animal Control establishment classifying your animals as a nuisance. If you live in the States, Animal Control will most likely give you three business days to resolve the problem. If you can’t get your kitties indoors or limited to your property alone in that menial timeframe, then you can have all of your animals removed permanently from the home. I can understand this since it applies to destructive kitties, but I feel sorry for the ones that are falsely accused. Like I said before, I own six cats and believe they should be able to roam freely, but the law states otherwise.
The law recognises that cats, as opposed to dogs, are free-ranging animals and as such do not take well to being confined to a house or garden. No-one is obliged by law to restrict the movements of their cat but a dog should be under control at all times. Many cats, despite their nature, are kept as house-cats and are never allowed outside. This might seem the perfect solution for neighbouring gardeners but unfortunately it isn’t for the cat. A large number of house-cats develop behavioural problems due to being denied a more natural life. Unlike dogs, cats never chose to be our companions – we chose them. The happiest cats are the ones that can get out and about, do some hunting and socialising then choose to come home when they want to. I have had cats all my life and had the odd dispute with neighbours, and the man who bred pigeons whose young birds were great sport to my cat, but I would rather not have a cat than keep one permanently imprisoned. Dogs are different – they seem perf
Yes, they should if you have (nicely) explained your problem to them. Depending on where you live, there may be a leash law for cats same as there is for dogs. There is in my city. It is not enforced unless someone complains. Check with your local animal control, they may be able to provide a humane trap to place on your property, and take Kitty away. The owner would have to pay an impound fee to get Kitty back, and might be more responsible. Personally, my cats are kept indoors all the time – I love them too much to take a chance of them getting run over by a car, injured or killed by a dog, etc. And they are perfectly happy.
