Comments on: can i be held responsible for my cat scratching a car bonnet?

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:48:59 +0000

Oh! What a lot of good(ie) people there are out there desperate to pass on their profound opinions on this simple matter. The answer is quite simply NO. As for your neighbour's threats, there are words I could use but the goodies might object.
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By: Amy LB

Amy LB — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:03:59 +0000

you are partly responsible for the cats actions but i think you should report him for threatening to posion the cat. try to negoiate, and get a compromise
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By: michele_cat_cyprus

michele_cat_cyprus — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 03:13:59 +0000

Assuming that you are in the UK, there is absolutely nothing your neighbour can legally do, even if there were conclusive proof that your cat damaged his car. Since cats are excluded from the definitions of "livestock" and "cattle" under the Animals Act 1971, they cannot be held guilty of trespass under civil law and, therefore, their owners or keepers cannot be liable for any damage done.

As for threatening to poison your cat, then your neighbour is danger of committing an offence himself. Under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, any person who deliberately and intentionally administers any poison to an animal is guilty of an offence. Equally, a person commits an offence if he (or she) knowingly puts poison down in any building or place without taking reasonable precautions to avoid harming cats and kittens in the area.

If your neighbour is menacing you for the money, then inform him that you intend reporting the matter to the police and the RSPCA. Hopefully a word of caution from the police might make him understand that threatening to poison local pets is not a wise idea.

Here in Cyprus, there’s lots of stray cats who often sleep on parked cars (mine included) and I’ve never known any of them to damage paintwork. Your neighbour sounds like a bully who is trying to intimidate you into paying for something which you are not responsible for. If there are other cat owners in your neighbourhood, it might be worthwhile checking if he’s tried this little scam on them as well. If he has, then the police and RSPCA will definitely give this case higher priority.

Good luck
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Legislation info taken from "Cats & The Law". See the website for further details.

http://www.yorkcats.org.uk/catlaw.htm

By: Acai

Acai — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:38:59 +0000

Has he got proof it was your cat? Like a video of it? If not, how can he prove it was? If it goes to court, judges are not of this planet, though. But threatening to poison someones cat is illegal, so if it was me I would prosecute him for that. That would shut him up about the car. What makes people think they have the right to hurt/kill a living thing because of accidental damage to an inanimate object?! DON'T give him money-that's called threatening bribery, even if he did see your cat.It's his car, it's a cat, he's responsible.
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By: Ladyt

Ladyt — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:54:59 +0000

I would only pay if he can prove that it was your cat, and only yours that did the damage! They are so many cats in my area it would be hard to say it was one cat!
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By: OohErMissus

OohErMissus — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:05:59 +0000

what a tosser he must be. Tell him to eff off, and report him to the police and R.S.P.C.A.

If he carries on being a prat, pour acid on his car………. then he’ll have summat to moan about
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By: Janiepoo

Janiepoo — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:17:59 +0000

Seems like a lot for a paint job. In the US, you can get your whole car painted at a good, reputable shop for a LOT less, unless he has some crazy custom paint job. If your cat did do the damage, you are liable. But I would want to see this guy's estimate for damages before paying anything- he could be padding the bill to get you to pay for extra stuff he wants done to his car.
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By: Heidi P

Heidi P — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:54:59 +0000

You can be held responsibly legally, if he can prove your cat scratched the hood. However, if your cat is responsible, 1600 pounds is a lot to just sand and re-paint one part. (I know that because I had to have parts of my car re-painted after hail damage.)
If your cat is responsible, you need to pay, but get an estimate from two or more repair shops you can both agree on. Do not go with just a figure the owner tells you.

In the U.S. at least, leash laws do apply to cats as well as dogs, so you need to keep your cat inside. I’m not sure about Britain, if that’s where you’re living.
But as you can see, too many bad things can happen to your cat outside, including him being harmed by bad people like your neighbor. You want your cat to not be hurt, so please keep him inside! He will still be very happy living that way. You especially cannot let a de-clawed cat outside.

I would report your neighbor’s threat to police, as anti-cruelty laws also exist, but if something bad happened to your cat, it might be hard to prove your neighbor was responsible. Not to mention the fact that it would be too late for your cat.
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Work with several animal rescue groups

By: Amanda_David

Amanda_David — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:13:59 +0000

you are responsible for your cat. Why would it be fair for him to pay, it's not his cat. What if he had a dog that bit you. Would it be OK for him to not have to pay? Just pay what you owe, and keep your cat away from him
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By: David J

David J — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:08:59 +0000

Think about moving….my cars covered in cat scratch marks the garage I bought it from last year must have hidden them with coloured polish or a wax crayon …..no way I can prove it but in your case its what cats do…..I just touch in the marks & it lasts about 5 washes…..buy your neighbour some wax kids crayons so long as its nearish the original colour but if they make threats dont respond try & get evidence, record them & take it to the authorities…..Good luck
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