Cat Bites Dog, Owner Wants Leash Law for Kitties

[The Straight Story]

Cat Bites Dog, Owner Wants Leash Law for Kitties
Written for the web by C. Johnson, Internet News Producer


After her pit bull was attacked by a neighborhood cat, a Sacramento dog owner is calling for an end to free-roaming felines.

Dawn Capp likes cats and dogs and has one of each. Her pets get along with each other. As far as other animals in the neighborhood, that's sometimes a different story.

Problems arose when her pit bull Tauri was in her backyard. An unknown cat came over the fence and bit Tauri on the face. Capp showed News10 the photos to prove it. "Right up there is a big red blotch," she said, pointing to a photo. "The blood was draining,"

The dog's wounds required $100 worth of veterinary care and antibiotics. Tauri is doing well now, and enjoyed a brisk game of Frisbee during News10's visit. However, her owner said it is not right that a wandering cat can be allowed to cause such mischief without any repercussions. "A cat comes into my backyard. When I let my dog go out to go to the bathroom, attacks my dog and gets away scot free," said Capp. "I have no way knowing who the owner is. I get stuck with the vet bill."

http://www.kxtv.com/storyfull2.aspx?storyid=15280

[ronnykmarshall]

1. Oh the poor pit bull.

Cry me a fucking river.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

11. So now no sympathy for dogs too? Was it Mrs Alitos dog or something? LOL

[triguy46]

61. Bad Kitty!!!!

[tularetom]

2. Tauri ain't gonna be able to show his face

around the other pit bulls in the neighborhood after being punked by a cat!

[Trillo]

3. lol, so now the real story about Pit Bulls aggressiveness emerges.

They're--
Oh, nevermind.

[Hissyspit]

4. "An unknown cat"? Like a feral or homeless cat who would not be

affected by a leash law?

[txindy]

7. There is that, isn't there?

Lots of ferals. I guess she doesn't understand that.

[goddess40]

47. Maybe we need to do more to control the feral cat population

I know they proposed, in a town north of mine, that hunters be able to shoot roaming cats. Since cats are not indigenous to the states and most communities have laws against letting domesticated beasties run at large I really didn't have a big problem with it. For those of you that find it alarming to think of poor tabby being shot - the ordinance was struck down. Although once the idea was planted in some hunters brains I'm sure there will be a few less roaming cats in the area - not that some one needs to tell some hunters what to shoot or not shoot.

[Lorien]

5. Personally I'm all for keeping cats on leashes in urban areas

My cat Puck walks on a leash. I've done pet rescue, and diseases like feline distemper, FIP, FLV, and FIV are epidemics in many areas of our city. Leashing cats, keeping them inside or only allowing them in areas with a cat fence (they really do make such things) would go a long way toward curbing those awful diseases. Working cats are another matter, but those that don't work in pest prevention would stand a better chance at enjoying a long healthy life if they weren't roaming freely outdoors.

[janx]

15. What beautiful cat pics!

And I agree with you. Even in some suburban areas, it can be harmful to let kitties roam freely.

In my old neighborhood, there was a household that neglected their cats. We found one flattened in the street outside. Another had a horrible limp and was mangey all over. THe rest of them shat in the neighbors' gardens, which was a drag, but nothing compared to the neglect.

When they were busted for having meth lab equipment, the cats were taken to a shelter. These people retrieved them from the shelter, dumped them in front of the house, and came by periodically to dump cat kibble in the snowy driveway. This went on for months. It was Colorado, it was a cold winter, and it was pathetic.

[TahitiNut]

17. Thank you for showing what a TRUE animal lover does for their pets!!

I'm a sucker for animals. All kinds. Few things hack my hemmorhoids more than so-called "cat lovers" who think their animal has some innate right to be run over by a truck or engage in fang and claw cat fights that'd make a cock fight look tame. I've known many cat owners that leashed their family felines and they've been some of the happiest and healthiest pets I've known.

Kudos! :thumbsup:

[Yupster]

22. I'm right there with you Tahiti-nut

If you're going to have a pet you should be obligated to keep it under control.

[Clark2008]

40. Exactly.

Cats shouldn't be allowed to roam free and run the risk of getting hit, getting in trouble, spreading or receiving disease any more than dogs.

I also realize animals have a pesky way of getting loose from their confinments, but it should still go for both species.

[Hissyspit]

19. O.K. Resources. Tell me where I can get the fence, and that harness

in your photo.

I live in the country, and not too close to a road, but up until now, leashing my cats has been about as successful as herding them. I tried a leash the other week and it failed miserably.

[Lorien]

21. Here's one of the better cat fences:

http://www.purrfectfence.com/

The harness came from PetsMart. If you Google "cat walking jacket" you'll find more "escape proof" versions.

[Caoimhe]

24. Here's another I've thought of getting

I have a huge back yard and a new cedar fence. We've taken great pains to stack rocks at the base of the fence to keep out the neighbors weiner dogs (they get in, harrass the kitties and even chewed through the screen on one of our foundation vents, went under our house and got stuck by their collar on a pipe. Stupid neighbors breed these little rat dogs and they roam free. Now the neighbors have cats that are breeding rapidly (they tried to say our cats were sperm donors, but I explained nicely that as GOOD pet owners, all of our furbabies are spayed and neutered) I am thinking this is a good way to keep their cats out and ours in. Plus it will save on food. I hate knowing that we are feeding the entire neighborhoods cats. Not that I'd have them starve, but I have my own cats to worry about, and they eat a LOT of food without having their neighbor kitties over for dining. What I don't get is that my cats don't chase the others away! I guess that is good, less fights means less absesses and cuts.


http://www.catfencein.com/

[Hissyspit]

29. Thanks!

[Lindacooks]

58. Absolutely!!

Indoor cats live an average of 18 years. Outdoor cats live an average of 3. You do the math! Suburban, rural, in city, it doesn't matter, the outdoors is a dangerous place for kitties. The number of cats I've seen dead on the side of the road is just sickening.

[CatWoman]

6. my neighbor tried to pull that crap on me

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

12. Do your cats attack his dogs?

Me? I love free roaming cats. I get excited when I go out back, kneel down against the wall while I smoke my cig, and a random cat just comes up and wants to be pet. THere are 3 completely seperate ones now. I wonder if they sense the 4 we got inside. It's just cool though that just smokin away out there, all of a sudden there could be a cute kitty for me to play with. Ones beautifully black long hair, another is a red striped tabby, sweet as can be, and the newest one that just started comin around is a big eyes short gray guy.

[CatWoman]

36. I had a couple of strays hanging around that I fed

so technically, I suppose they were "my" cats.

However, one of them scratched my neighbor's dog on the nose, and she freaked.

I don't know what she expected me to do about it.

[meow2u3]

8. Try leashing a cat--see how far you get

I can't even get a collar on my cat Boots, let alone a leash!

[FreedomAngel82]

13. Trying a dog is hard enough

When I had a dog he was pretty hyper and he hated the leash and it was always a struggle, so I'm sure getting a cat on a leash would be hard too. And what about stray cats that don't have owners?

[Lorien]

16. My cat does fine on a leash (see post #5)

even my "scaredy cat" Oberon will walk on a leash, at least at the pet supply store. Puck likes going everywhere on her leash-she even knows how to "heel".

I guess the trick is to just take your time when training them. First let them get use to the harness indoors, then go for walks in the backyard, and finally for strolls around the neighborhood. I still put Puck up on my shoulder when large dogs approach, just to be safe (but she loves small dogs).

[meow2u3]

25. If you can get a collar and leash on my Boots, more power to you

I sure couldn't. Every time I did get a collar on him, he actually got it off!

[Touchdown]

30. Easy for you to say. Your a female human.

Women (humans) are by default the queens of the pride in cat culture. I'm a male human with a female cat, which means she's in charge, and I tell her/get her to do NOTHING. I'm there to pay the bills, clean the shit box, keep the bowl filled, and pet her at ONLY her convenience. I get the cold shoulder for hours whenever I have women friends over, as if I had no right to bring those hussies into the house. I get hairballs in my shoes after I take her to the vet. Sonic is the ultimate queen of the universe, and noone will unseat her.

I swear she came that way. I had nothing to do with it.:shrug:

[meow2u3]

52. That's the real reason they call a female cat a queen

:D :crazy:

[FredUptoHere]

33. my cats do just fine on a leash.

and they all get baths every couple months too.

[Kindigger]

9. My cat Weezie

A Chow came into the yard from the alley one day. Weezie ran across the yard, and leaped into the dog's face. She had her front arms up, and her "fingers" splayed menacingly. The dog started yelping like it was dying, and with tail between it's legs, slunk out of the yard.

Weezie had no front claws :)

[progressivebydesign]

10. Does she have a photo of the cat biting or just the wound???

I think I smell a rat. A cat does not just walk into a yard unprovoked and attack a pit bull. Her own cat did it. BULLSHIT.

[tatertop]

14. That does sound very uncatlike.

[progressivebydesign]

62. Maybe the cat was defending itself?? n/t

[LisaL]

51. Maybe it was a rabid cat.

Otherwise, this cat had a death wish.

[radwriter0555]

18. Why is it okay for cats to roam at large, and not for dogs?

Cats are destructive as well, as we all know.

Why DO cats get all the liberty?

Why aren't restrictions placed on cats as well?

[REP]

20. When Was The Last Time A Cat Killed a Toddler or Elderly Person?

Don't get me wrong - the cats I live with live indoors only, for their protection (plus they show no interest in the outside). There are too many dangers to cats for them to be allowed to roam; a cat run or cat-proof fence should be provided to cats who are let out. But feral and stray cats so not pose the danger that stray and feral dogs do; in fact, feral colonies help control rodent populations.

In my perfect world, every cat would would have a safe home and loving caretakers, and stray/feral cats would not be an issue.

[FredUptoHere]

35. cats don't tend to roam in packs.

my cats are all indoor/fenced yard animals- they don't roam.

there are a lot more "wild" cats than dogs, too...

[Clark2008]

44. They can still spread disease with a bite or a scratch, though.

And some of those diseases could kill a toddler.

They're also destructive at times, too.

It doesn't matter if they travel in packs or not. I've had some pretty destructive cats in my yard. In fact, one cat was killed by the neighbors dogs recently. It broke my heart because it was a kitten with a collar - obviously a pet - but the owners obviously didn't think to protect it by not letting it roam free.

The saddest part is that my son found the body - it was mauled - and it caused him a great deal of pain to think that kitty was hurt.

[progressivebydesign]

63. How often does a cat actually acost someone in the wild? n/t

[Bridget Burke]

23. My cats have been indoor kitties all their lives.

Because they were declawed--BEFORE I got them. However, I'm sold on the indoor lifestyle for all cats. Better for them & better for the wildlife.

My guys are getting on in years. I'd bet that leash-training should be started young.

However, I do wonder about this story.

[Touchdown]

26. Cats don't attack dogs.

Dogs attack cats. If the cat wins, the dog gets his lesson. That's life in the big city.

[Beelzebud]

28. Actually they do...

I had a Cocker Spaniel get attacked by a cat and it scratched his nose so badly the side of it was hanging there.... Had to take him to surgery for that.

Not every dog owner has a pit-fighting pit bull...

[Touchdown]

32. And you witnessed this?

Your cocker gave no provocation, not even a warning bark, right? Although I'm accepting that there could be exceptions, but as a general rule, cats usually avoid dogs, unless they're in the same family, or the dog instgates the confrontation.

The only time I witnessed a cat attacking a dog, was when I was at a friend's house, and visitors came in with their dog, and Jack (a black long hair, friendliest cat to humans as could ever be), decided to show the dog who's house it was, and he attacked the dog, and the dog immediately cowered and whined. But that was Jack's house. Well, all the cats had to be locked up in the bedroom until the dog left. The two Siamese were scared shitless, even when Jack tried to rally them as troops. Jack has had a few run-ins with dogs and he doesn't give them any room for mistakes.

[xultar]

46. Nope. I've seen cats be the aggressor many a time.

[0007]

27. That's fair. Now I hope everyone goes out and buys

one of those big mountain cats.

[AtomicKitten]

31. the horror

happens at my house every day

[Steph13]

34. My house too!

The dog is obviously the low man on the totem pole! :P

(these are foster kitties.. not mine!)


My youngest kitty is ALWAYS beating up on her too!




'Who.. me??'




I also have a kitty that's almost 18 years old now.. diabetic & CRF. Thought she had cancer, so started letting her enjoy the outdoors while she could. She didn't mind the harness & leash! :) Thankfully it was a wrong diagnosis, but her outings won't stop there. :)






She was wearing mama out!

[AtomicKitten]

37. uber-kitties of the world unite! (nt)

[Caoimhe]

38. What beautiful critters!

The calico in the first picture has truly unique coloring, I've never seen that before. Your dog has great patience.

Oh, and Welcome to DU!

[xultar]

43. ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL

:rofl:

[xultar]

41. ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL ROFL

:rofl:

[Clark2008]

39. I think that's only fair.

I HATE it when the neighbors cats come over and distroy my gardens and torment my dogs.

Look, I'm all for people having cats if they want 'em, but keep 'em out of MY yard. A leash law sounds like a good idea.

[LisaL]

42. And that is one wimpy pit bull.

As for cat, I wonder if it was rabid? Other that, or this cat was suicidal.

[ProfessorGAC]

45. Ambivalence On This One

First, it's stupid. Keep your dog and other people's pets supervised.

However, i do think cat owners are too irresponsible. Since we've been married we have had Freida, Mary, Sophie, Lucy, Josie, Claire, and Greta. Usually three at a time, with some overlaps.

None have ever been outside. None! (Well, except for the walk from the car to the vet's office and vice versa.) The dog only goes out on a leash. Even though he will run to the end of the yard and come back when he's called, we don't do it. It's against the ordinance.

Keep the kitties indoors! If not, they should be leashed. They're domesticated animals and should not be allowed, and do not require freedom, in the wild.

It's bad for them, and then silly things like this story happen.
The Professor

[LisaL]

50. I don't let my cats out either.

People who do let them out are not being responsible, IMO. But then their argument is that cat will be bored stuck inside all day. I don't buy that argument, but sometimes these owners truly do think they do what is best for the cat. And then of course they cry when one day their cat ends up dead.

[ProfessorGAC]

53. I Don't But The Argument Either

They're cats! They will find a way to amuse themselves, wander around, and explore whatever environment they're given. Our cats are happy, friendly, and responsive. So, i guess they just don't know what they're missing outside, and are purrfectly happy to be indoor cats. They always have each other and the dog to keep them company. (It's fun watching 8 pound cats commiserate with a 100# dog!)
The Professor

[madinmaryland]

59. We never let any of our cats outside,

except out on the deck of our apartment. Its three stories up and they are not interesting in jumpering. There are plenty of cat toys and strings (and small plastic barbie toys from my daughter) that will amuse them.

[ProfessorGAC]

60. We Think Alike

In our case, they have a 100# play toy, named Barney. He's a labrador. He's the alpha pet and they spend all day trying to butter him up. It's a hoot.

The Professor

[baby_mouse]

48. Ive a friend whose greyhound/lurcher cross killed and ATE a local pussy.

Everyone was amazed and horrified. Cindy's such a lovable dog, too, so silly and friendly, a real floppy "dumb blonde" of a dog. Not a bad bone in her.

VERY big jaws, though.

She took out that bad-tempered tom with 2 or 3 snaps and snacked on him happily...

[LisaL]

49. Greyhounds are prey animals.

It's not surprising the greyhound dog would kill a cat, considering they were bred to chaise prey.

[baby_mouse]

56. I guess so. I'd just NEVER heard of a dog actually EATING a cat.

It was very freaky. The owners (both of them) were horrified!

[Horse with no Name]

54. I had an obnoxious neighbor once

Who brought her dog into my home. I objected because my Tabitha doesn't like dogs.
She promised her little Fido would be just fine and she would watch him.
My Tabitha stressed out (her fur stands out when she stresses) and she kept watching the dog.
It all got to be too much for her and she jumped on the dog and knocked the shit out of him.
Drew blood.
I didn't apologize. I warned her but she left angry.:shrug:

[phylny]

55. I like cats - in someone's house. I like the ones that don't jump up

on me or claw me in an attempt to get my attention.

I do not like cats that roam free and I agree that they should be regulated.

I'd be po'd if a cat attacked my dog.

[CottonBear]

57. I was attacked by my neighbor's bad ass cat who also attacked my cats

and other people's cats and clawed my neighbor. I sustained about 15 punctures wounds to my right forearm. If the cat was a dog, he would've been put down by now. He even bites his owner. I have no idea why she keeps the animal :(

We have an agreement and a schedule so that neither cat is ever out at the same time. We've only had two abcess incidents (for my kitty) in almoat 2 years. I wouldn't mind if the cat went missing though.

edit to say that only one of my cats goes out beyond our fenced patio garden. He is only out for a limited time and is on a strict 24-7-365 schedule to avoid being out with the other cat. The big problem is that the other cat climbs our fence and has menaced our cats in our garden and even come into our house and attacked our cat in the dining room. :(

I'm thinking of offering the neighbor to go in on half the cost of cat fence in for her patio. When her cat escapes at the wrong time he is almost impossible to catch and will attack her if she tries to pick him up. :scared: I live in a townhome neighborhood with lots of cats who all get along fine, or, they used to until Oliver moved in 3 years ago. :(