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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

The litter tray

Our cat was killed today by a neighbours dog.

32 replies

MsSavingPennies · 31/05/2013 21:16

We live in a country village and have 2 cats. We had them chipped and spayed and decided to let them outdoors, only a handful of cars pass through here every day, there are neighbouring cats, we are rural, a relatively safe enviroment we thought.

I willl never forgive myself now, as the younger who was only 8 months old wandered into a neighbouring garden and was attacked (her neck was broken) and killed by their dog. They are upset too.

It's been a very difficult day. The house is too quiet and our other cat is being very quiet. We are trying to give her lots of cuddles, I'm not sure how cats grieve if at all.

The breed of cat we have is better suited to company. I just don't know what to do. I know longer feel that it would be an option to let out the other cat out again. I would fear for her.

We are supposed to be going to a neighbouring house for drinks soon and these neighbours will be there. I told my OH that I can't go and pretend everything is ok for a whole even

OP posts:

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MsSavingPennies · 31/05/2013 21:17

Sent too quick, sorry.

For a whole evening.

Any advice on any of the above would be great. Thanks.

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juneybean · 31/05/2013 21:18

I'm so sorry, this is awful :(

Toughasoldboots · 31/05/2013 21:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ExitPursuedByABear · 31/05/2013 21:20

Good grief. No idea how you should handle this. What sort of dog? Our neighbour's cat was in our garden and our dog 'caught' it but just had a mouthful of fur.

Has this happened in the village before?

k2togm1 · 31/05/2013 21:21

Shit how awful. So sorry. They must feel awful too, and it wasn't anybody's fault I guess. Don't blame yourself, I would also have let them out in your situation and its such a freak event you couldn't have prevented it. Really sad though, and yes, then other cat will grieve, but she is young and will recover.
Not sure what I would do about letting her out, starry can't be of any more help, just didn't want to read and run!

GoblinGranny · 31/05/2013 21:23

Then don't go, you need time to come to terms with what happened.
It's very reasonable of you not to blame them, and that's enough for now really.
How easy would it be to make your cat an indoor one?
It is rather like the risk from traffic, you just can't keep them from harm however you try. 8 months is still very inexperienced at judging danger.
I am sorry that such a horrible thing happened, and the worry that it would happen again must loom large.

MsSavingPennies · 31/05/2013 21:23

We have a neighbour who has about 3 cats and as far as Im aware they havent had a problem with the dogs before.

I just feel I let our cat down. She was so loving.

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Purplehonesty · 31/05/2013 21:25

I'm so sorry to hear that. What have the neighbours said/done?
It's a terrible shock for you. But I think you will have to keep letting the other cat out or what quality of life will she have? She is used to going out now isn't she?
That might not be what you want to do right now, but I know what you are going through as out darling cat was killed by a visiting workman's three dogs who got out of his van. She hung on for a week bless her but couldn't recover.
So although we thought she would be safe at home here where there are no dogs you just never know what can happen.
Still our other cats go out as they would hate to be shut indoors.

As for the party give it a miss, you need time to yourself, not having to put a brave face on and talk to these people.

mydoorisalwaysopen · 31/05/2013 21:25

Very sorry to hear about your cat. You must be heartbroken.

I would get in touch with the neighbours who have invited you and explain the situation. Hopefully they will be understanding.

Also, I wonder if some action needs to be taken with regard to the dog - If it is a danger to other animals and/or children.

Hassled · 31/05/2013 21:25

Bloody hell - how awful for you. It wouldn't have occurred to me that a dog would do that.

Re advice - I don't think in your shoes I'd ever take the risk again. I think the other cat has to be an indoor cat (which is crap for you if you're in the country etc).

Pantone363 · 31/05/2013 21:26

That's awful, in that situation nobody would blame you for thinking they would be ok.

On the flip side, exactly the same rural situation but my dog (lab) got out and killed all of our neighbours chickens. If your neighbour is anything like me she will be feeling awful about it too.

bootsycollins · 31/05/2013 21:27

I'm so sorry, that's really awful. Probably for the best if you give this evening a miss, I don't think being in an enclosed space with the neighbours and a few drinks inside you is for the best

GoSuckEggs · 31/05/2013 21:35

god, i am so sorry for your loss. I have a cat and would be heart broken if this happened to mine.

I also have a couple of dogs, and one of them acutally killed our neighbours cat. He slipped his lead and run up the road into her front garden and shook the cat. when i got there he let go and slunk home. the cat was obviously in deep shock and just laid in my arms. i dont recall seeing any blood.
the owner came out and was obviously upset. i was crying myself. I begged to take her to the vets and told her not to worry about the bill, i was fully insured. she refused to go. said she would go with her daughter later. when i knocked to check the next day she said the cat had died.

I felt just terrible. i think she refused to go to vets because they would have seen how neglected the cat was. all of its eyes were gunked up and weepy ( which i think is how my dog managed to get it) and it did not look very looked after.

your neightbour will understand if you can not go. it is a terrible thing to have happened. your little cat will know she was loved.

HairyPotter · 31/05/2013 21:36

I'm so sorry to hear that. I do know exactly how you feel though. My beautiful tortoiseshell cat was sitting in our back garden when a dog jumped over the fence and grabbed her. We didn't see it but my neighbours son did.

We spend days and nights looking all round our village trying to find her so we could bury her, but couldn't.

For months it was all I could think about. My poor darling cat. We don't know for sure whose dog it is but I have a good idea. Utter bastards!

I tell myself that at least it would have been quick.

I would stay in tonight I think. I kept bursting into tears for days and really couldn't face making small talk.

MsSavingPennies · 31/05/2013 21:36

My other cat has only been an outdoor cat for a couple of months. I kept her in after the event and she hasnt protested so far.

The neighbours dog is huge, she backed into a corner and couldnt get away. Tall hedges and fences too.

They would trot around us in the garden while we were gardening, loving outdoors. someone said to me better a short enjoyable life, but this was far too short and the dog in question is only a garden away too close for me to feel comfortable.

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Toughasoldboots · 31/05/2013 21:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MsSavingPennies · 31/05/2013 21:44

Hairypotter - I keep bursting into tears too. I'm sorry for your loss too.

Bootsy - they are nice neighbours, yes drinking when emotional, not a good mix.

Gosuckeggs - its hard for those on both sides as animal nature means you cannot predict their actions.

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Fluffycloudland77 · 31/05/2013 21:46

God that's just horrific. Poor little cat.

It's really not your fault, she was in the wrong place at the right time and he's got a bit of killer instinct in him by the sound of it, dogs usually just want to play with cats.

You can get some sort of electric fencing for gardens, I know it's out there but I haven't looked into it in any depth.

You didn't let her down.

MsSavingPennies · 31/05/2013 21:53

Thanks Fluffy. She was loved and she is so missed by is all.

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Iwouldratherbemuckingout · 31/05/2013 22:23

I'm so sorry to hear this, so sorry you lost your kit this way and the heartbreak you're feeling. Perhaps enclosing the garden is the way to go?

lurkedtoolong · 31/05/2013 22:27

I am so so sorry for your loss. I lost my boy just under a fortnight ago and it took me a few days before I was ready to be with people again. Take your time and be kind to yourself.

Don't make any decisions about letting your other cat out yet. Keep her in for a few days and then reconsider.

MsSavingPennies · 01/06/2013 07:58

Thank you all for your kind words.

We have just buried her on her favourite blanket and with some of her favourite toys.

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cozietoesie · 01/06/2013 08:00

So sorry, MsSaving. Take care of yourself.

AlanMoore · 01/06/2013 08:13

Aw, rip little cat. Don't blame yourself, I'm a lifelong cat owner and had never considered that dogs were a risk before I read this, I'd only ever heard of cats being killed by the hunt.

Hope your other cat is comforting you x

elfycat · 01/06/2013 08:31

I', sorry to hear you have lost your cat.

We lost a DCat to a dog attack years ago, we didn't see it but she came home injured and I thought she's been clipped by a car. The vet said it was likely a dog had shaken her and she needed to be PTS.

I can't blame the dog, DCat was a runner and once a dog starts chasing all sorts of hunter instincts kick in. But I understand how much it hurts to lose a cat and that you may not wish to visit with your neighbours while it is raw.

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