That Damn Cat

[The Voice]

Need some help.. I have a cat.. ever since he was a baby, since we had a farm house, he was an indoor/outdoor cat.. since we moved back into town, he's still an indoor/outdoor cat.. heres the deal, the woman next store,
(never really met her since I moved) comes over with a smile on her face and
decides to rip me a new rear end because when I let my cat out, he goes into her garage and leaves paw marks on their cars.. I asked her why she doesn't keep the garage door closed? she says, for different reasons, she shouldn't have to..anyway. apparantly my new neighbor has issues. I know there are dog laws, however, are there laws prohibiting from letting the cat out at night ? I know I may get ripped here on the 'being responsible for my pet thing', and I may well take the steps to be more responsible; however, since she was playing this major 'property control' game with me, I may be more irresponsible JUST TO PISS ER OFF!

TV:rock:

[RAPTOR]

Cover your cats paws with ink before you let him out.

[Dr Strangemind]

I don't know if escalating the situation would be wise ... inevitably, they take it out on the cat itself, and the animal ends up "disappearing" or getting hurt.

[fellowship]

I have heard that if you live inside the city limits of Massillon you are to keep your cat on your own property. It is much safer for a cat to be indoors in t he city than running loose. They can be happy indoors and live a longer life.

[DAWGH8R]

At my other house, my cat was an indoor/outdoor cat. Never even used a litter box. However, at the "new house" we haven't let her out, for fear she would go back to the "old house". I don't think my tenants would like to see her arrive through the dog door in the middle of the night !!

So, she is now entirely an indoor cat, and doesn't seem to mind.:smile:

[longtimefirsttime]

I see both sides of this. I understand it's used to being let out but I wouldn't be thrilled either if the neighbors cat was climbing on my car. I would've discussed it with the right attitude though. If you come over yelling and screaming it usually accomplishes nothing.

[TigerDL71]

its just freaking mud, its not that hard to wipe it off, its winter so your car already is dirty anyways, can't both of you just compromise?

[Kamd50]

Lol, I wouldn't like it either if I had to get up and wipe pawprints off of my cars everyday. I can't imagine that most people can honestly say that it wouldn't bother them. Even though I think it is kind of stupid to not close your garage doors at night, it is still her property and her right whether to do so or not.

I think people that live in the city should keep their cats in their homes where they will be safe and sound along with not infringing on other people's property rights. It just makes the most sense all the way around. Dr. S is right about the cat ending up paying in the end. I have heard of many people putting out poison, or traps, or even shooting cats that won't stay off of their property. While I don't agree with any of those extreme measures, cause I don't think it is fair to take it out on the animal, I can tell you there has been a time or two when I almost wished I was mean enough to do something like that.

There is not too many things that make me more upset than having spent hours, daily, in flowerbeds or gardens, only to have it dug up and ruined by a loose cat that has decided to use it as a litter box. Or equally annonying is to be awakened in the middle of the night by that creepy sound they make when they are roaming around in heat! ewwwwww , I hate that sound, it is so creepy:jestera:

Voice, if you and your kid love the cat, do everyone a favor and keep it indoors, maybe even declaw and "fix" it, and keep peace with your neighbor as well. Don't let your anger get the best of you. Besides, this is a good opportunity to maybe teach your kid a little something about how to deal with an adverse situation and get along with people. Kids already know way too much about how to piss people off and getting revenge from television:wink:

[fyrewood]

Voice, This is copied directly from Massillon's Codified Ordinances:

505.01 DOGS, CATS AND OTHER ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE.


(a) No person being the owner or having charge of cattle, sheep, geese, ducks, turkeys, chickens or other fowl or animals shall permit them to run at large upon any public place, or upon any enclosed lands, with the exception of Agricultural Zoned areas or upon the premises of another.

(b) No person being the owner of or having charge of any dog or cat whether wearing a registration tag or not, shall permit it to run at large upon any public place or upon the premises of another. No owner, keeper or harborer of any female dog or cat shall permit such dog or cat to go beyond the premises of such owner or keeper at any time such dog or cat is in heat, unless such dog or cat is properly in leash. The owner or keeper of every dog shall at all times keep such dog either confined upon the premises of the owner or keeper, or under reasonable control of some person.

(c) The running at large of any such animal in or upon any of the places mentioned in this section is prima-facie evidence that it is running at large in violation of this section.

(d) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(Ord. 195-1985. Passed 12-2-85.)

If you are letting the cat run loose outside in the city of Massillon, you ARE in violation of the law, not to mention if she can prove it, you could be held liable for any damage done to her car.


TigerDL71,

It is not just "freaking mud", I have had the paint on a brand new 1 week old car damaged by a cat trying to climb on the hood with muddy paws and sliding back down and scratching it......The cat is no longer around...

[TigerDL71]

Voice, This is copied directly from Massillon's Codified Ordinances:

505.01 DOGS, CATS AND OTHER ANIMALS RUNNING AT LARGE.


(a) No person being the owner or having charge of cattle, sheep, geese, ducks, turkeys, chickens or other fowl or animals shall permit them to run at large upon any public place, or upon any enclosed lands, with the exception of Agricultural Zoned areas or upon the premises of another.

(b) No person being the owner of or having charge of any dog or cat whether wearing a registration tag or not, shall permit it to run at large upon any public place or upon the premises of another. No owner, keeper or harborer of any female dog or cat shall permit such dog or cat to go beyond the premises of such owner or keeper at any time such dog or cat is in heat, unless such dog or cat is properly in leash. The owner or keeper of every dog shall at all times keep such dog either confined upon the premises of the owner or keeper, or under reasonable control of some person.

(c) The running at large of any such animal in or upon any of the places mentioned in this section is prima-facie evidence that it is running at large in violation of this section.

(d) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

(Ord. 195-1985. Passed 12-2-85.)

If you are letting the cat run loose outside in the city of Massillon, you ARE in violation of the law, not to mention if she can prove it, you could be held liable for any damage done to her car.


TigerDL71,

It is not just "freaking mud", I have had the paint on a brand new 1 week old car damaged by a cat trying to climb on the hood with muddy paws and sliding back down and scratching it......The cat is no longer around...

if its scratching your car you best believe that cat wouldn't be around any longer but if its just climbing up there and getting mud then thats a different story

[Red50Go]

Ask for video evidence, lol. So now every time anything happens in your neighbors garage ie another cat, racoon turds, something gets knocked over, etc, you'll be blamed cuz they're too stubborn to close the door.

[DragonTigerNemesis]

:furious:

What on Earth makes cat owners think that they have some kind of special rights over and above what dog owners have?

In my opinion, letting a cat run loose outside in Massillon is just plain RUDE, and you should be chastised for doing it.

If your obnoxious behavior as an irresponsible pet owner caused cat prints or scratches on my car, I would be furious with you also.

Again, I ask the question, what makes cat owners so special that they think it’s acceptable to thumb their nose at the law, their neighbors, and anyone else within the cat’s roaming area?

Of course dogs can bite someone and cats don’t usually do that, but otherwise please tell me the difference.

As others have pointed out, there are laws. It’s simple. If you live in the city limits, keep your cats in the house, PERIOD.
Sure, the law says keep them on your own property, but let’s be real. Unless you tie it up or cage it in, that’s not going to happen.

Massillon has a serious problem with stray cats. If you let your cat outside, you are contributing to the problem.
They live under people’s porches, SPRAY all over people’s doors, car tires and anywhere else they feel it’s necessary to mark their territory.
They crap on people’s porches, in kid’s sandboxes, in garages (if God forbid people exercise their right to leave their own garage door open), in flower beds, and gardens.
Cat feces carry particularly nasty bacteria that can make people VERY ILL.

I suppose all the people with sandboxes for their kids should keep them covered when not in use just so your cat can roam the neighborhood?

Again---just maybe there are reasons for the laws.

For the record, we have two cats.
I like cats.
We follow the law and respect our neighbor’s property enough to keep them inside the house.
If they get outside, we drop everything until we catch them and bring them back inside.

There is absolutely no excuse for purposely letting a cat out to defecate and spray all over the place, and damage other people’s property.

Oh yea---and for the record, if a stray cat is on my property, I will try to kill it with anything that I can get my hands on.

Oh, and one more thing---I live within your cat’s roaming territory.


:kungfu:

[CarlE]

We have cats. The cats stay indoors. Period. No way cats should be allowed to go roaming all over the dang neighborhood. BUT, neither should any animal so I'm not just singling out cats. Voice, you are WRONG on this one, my friend.

[ChronicTiger]

We have cats. The cats stay indoors. Period. No way cats should be allowed to go roaming all over the dang neighborhood. BUT, neither should any animal so I'm not just singling out cats. Voice, you are WRONG on this one, my friend.

I couldnt agree more. Keep your freaking cat off other peoples cars!! How can you even question your neighbor?

[Smitty]

Looks like you better get the li'l critter FIXED and keep it in the house... and buy bigger bags of litter. :eyemouth:

[Seeker]

If anyone really cares about their cat, they will keep them inside.
If you have a cat, and are tempted to let it out, you should read this first:

http://www.wildspirit.org/hazard.htm

:thumbsup:

[TigerLily]

Is this called “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof???.

Anyway, you need to keep Miss or Mr. Kitty at home. Besides being a good neighbor -- here are other reasons from the Humane Society to keep kitty inside:

**Cats may love to go outside, but for their own good, keep them in. Although cats are smart, alert, and adroit, they are no match for the many perils that await them outside. That's why the average indoor-only cat lives up to three times longer than the cat who goes outside. Consider these eight threats:

1. Disease
Feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus are only two of the diseases that are passed from cat to cat and, once contracted, result in the eventual death of the pet. And outside cats are even more likely than dogs to come into contact with rabid wild animals.

2. Parasites
Outdoor cats suffer from fleas, ticks, ear mites, and worms that indoor cats are not generally exposed to.

3. Poisoning
Poisons can be found in lawn chemicals, bait left out to kill rodents, auto antifreeze, and other sources.

4. Other Animals
Fights with other cats, dogs, and wildlife often leave cats maimed or injured. And it's not just the Toms. Female cats get into fights, too, because cats are by nature territorial.

5. Cruel People
Cats are often the victims of burning, tarring and feathering, and other tortures. Animal dealers may collect outside cats for sale to research facilities. Outside pets are at the mercy of the people they encounter.

6. Traps
It is estimated that over 100,000 cats are caught in traps each year. Those who aren't killed may suffer for days before being released and often lose limbs from the injuries.

7. Traffic
Most outdoor cats die prematurely from auto accidents. It is a myth that cats are "streetwise" about cars. No matter how alert, a cat is no match for a fast-moving vehicle.

8. Pet Overpopulation
Unaltered cats allowed to roam and mate at will account for millions of the cats who must be euthanized each year because there aren't enough homes for them. Allowing unaltered animals outside is irresponsible and at the root of the terrible pet overpopulation problem.

Cats can be completely happy inside if you provide them with toys, good care, and most importantly, lots of love and affection. If you've got a kitten, start it out right by never letting him or her outside. Older cats who are used to the "great outdoors" can make the transition to being indoor cats with time and attention.

[The Voice]

MY GOODNESS! YOU HAVE SPOKEN! I've never been UNDER ATTACK' for letting the cat out until now. I hear you. I am taking steps to correct the problem , and I indeed apologize for this offense. apparantly I hit a hot spot here.:oops2: I know when I is wrong people.

NOW.. WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM HERE!

NEMISIS: YOU'RE IN VIOLATION DUDE!
You preceeded to ATTACK the poster (me) and not the thread.
I have a cat problem, I am wrong, But you pretty much went nuts on me and you are totally outta line.
NEMISIS: Number two dude. If I break the law by letting a cat out, you just said that you would KILL a cat if it is on your property, check the laws dude,
you would be breaking a bigger law (mideameaner)..
AND FINALLY: The biggest question of all dude.. HOW THE F*#K do YOU
know where I live ?..

TV

[Mr.Deedee]

DragonTiger...

I agree with you. I have had trouble with cats roaming our neighborhood. Not too long ago, a neighbor of ours had 11 cats and they were reproducing rapidly. They could have cared less where they were and what they were up to. I was not the only neighbor that was POed. I called the Humane Society and asked if they took stray cats and it was slim to no chance as they are inundated with stray cats. Even the city's Animal Control Officer (who I think does a great job) can do very little as she too is overwhelmed with strays--of all kinds. I have a "Have a Heart" trap. When I trap a cat and I know who it belongs to, I will go to that neighbor and let them know "what I found." . If the captured cat has no ID or if the neighbors don't claim it, it's way out into the hinterlands for the animal to fend for itself. I know we are told not to do that, but what else is there? If the Humane Society won't take them and you don't want to destroy them, there are very few options left. It's a rotten shame that I have to be burdened with that decision because of lazy boobs for neighbors. Before I retired, I had a coworker who would take the cats as she lived on a horse farm and needed as many mousers as she could get. I don't have that option now.

It is rude and disrespectful of neighbors to allow their animals to run wild in the city. We should not have to keep our garage doors down, sandboxes covered (which I have had to do for years), and redo our gardens and flowerbeds because of those rude neighbors.

Sorry , Al. I hope this post doesn't mar our friendship. I know you have had cats for a long time--but you are a respectable and responsible owner and would not burden your neighbors with letting your pets run the neighborhood. Besides, your cats hide when they see strangers coming!!

[CarlE]

I honestly can't believe this thread generated this much excitement. It's kind of cool actually that cats are getting all this attention!! LOL

[Red50Go]

Really nemisis, calm down. Some people let their dogs out to crap. Sometimes they break their leash. Sometimes they bark loud. And sometimes just flat scare the **** out of people. So lets shoot them. All I was saying is closing a garage door seemed like a simple enough solution considering its the wise thing to do regardless.

But technically yeah, keep the cat indoors AT ALL TIMES AT ALL COSTS!!! But seriously, he/she definitely better be fixed. Its not like I am for stray cats. That stinks.

[DragonTigerNemesis]

Really nemisis, calm down. Some people let their dogs out to crap. Sometimes they break their leash. Sometimes they bark loud. And sometimes just flat scare the **** out of people. So lets shoot them. All I was saying is closing a garage door seemed like a simple enough solution considering its the wise thing to do regardless.

But technically yeah, keep the cat indoors AT ALL TIMES AT ALL COSTS!!!

C'mon---the original post on this thread was so ridiculous as to beg for overreaction.

No body's talking about a well-intentioned pet owner having their pet get away from them temporarily.
We're talking about purposefully foisting your pet on others without regard to health, safety or property.

OK, so I over-reacted.

Forgive me.
Our neighbor's cat sprayed on both our front porch and back porch last night, and I stepped in cat doo-doo on the way to the car this morning.

:down:

[CarlE]

Wow, then the timing of this thread was impeccable for you, wasn't it?? Dang.

[Kamd50]

Good for you Voice! I am glad to see that you are a big enough man to see the error of his ways and are willing to do something about it. And more importantly, you will be teaching your son by example:thumbsup:

I also agree with Carl, it certainly does not apply to cats only when talking about being a responsible pet owner. It's just as bad having to go out in your one's front yard to clean up after someone else's dog, while you have your own dog confined to the backyard with a fence. I hope this thread does something to pick at some dog owner's conscience's as well.

In fact, Voice, you can now consider that you've done a public service by making cat and dog owners alike aware that they need to be a little more considerate of their neighbors.:thanx:

On a different note, you inspired me this morning to make a visit to my local hospital gift shop this afternoon! I have to go up there and find out when that jewelry "event" is that she was talking about!

[DragonTigerNemesis]

NEMISIS: YOU'RE IN VIOLATION DUDE!
You preceeded to ATTACK the poster (me) and not the thread.
I have a cat problem, I am wrong, But you pretty much went nuts on me and you are totally outta line.
Maybe, but I think I stuck to the subject at hand. Where were you attacked?
You had already admitted to the behavior, I simply reiterated it.
For the record, what really set me off was your comment that you might continue your actions or become more irresponsible just to get even with her.
For what? Getting in your face? Haven't you ever lost it with a neighbor and then felt bad about it later?
NEMISIS: Number two dude. If I break the law by letting a cat out, you just said that you would KILL a cat if it is on your property, check the laws dude, you would be breaking a bigger law (mideameaner)..
I said "try to kill it". I'm not breaking the law unless I succeed, LOL. Besides, that post of your's was so ridiculous that I thought you could take a joke. One time, once, I took a shot at a cat with a pellet gun. I felt bad and did not do it again.
AND FINALLY: The biggest question of all dude.. HOW THE F*#K do YOU know where I live ?..
Please see the above response.
Plus---cat's roam up to two miles. If you live in Massillon as do I, it's likely that I live in your cat's territory.

:hug:

TV[/QUOTE]

[Al.]

Sorry , Al. I hope this post doesn't mar our friendship. I know you have had cats for a long time--but you are a respectable and responsible owner and would not burden your neighbors with letting your pets run the neighborhood. Besides, your cats hide when they see strangers coming!!

Not a problem. All of the cats that we have owned over the years (including the two orphan kittens that we now have) are/were and always will be indoor, neutered/spayed pets (children). :thumbsup:

[ChronicTiger]

AND FINALLY: The biggest question of all dude.. HOW THE F*#K do YOU
know where I live ?..
TV


Someone was irresponsible enough to use your real name in a recent thread. Finding out where you live would not be a problem.

[The Voice]

Good point. Unfortunatly, if someone would go out of their way to find out where I live is pretty sad.

tv

[ChronicTiger]

Good point. Unfortunatly, if someone would go out of their way to find out where I live is pretty sad.

tv

I agree......Now go buy a leash for that cat! How bout a cat run, similar to a dog run?

[DragonTigerNemesis]

Someone was irresponsible enough to use your real name in a recent thread. Finding out where you live would not be a problem.

Mr. ChronicTiger---Ouch---that was the owner himself:

Contact JD Ress via PM... His username is "The Voice".

He's accepting sponsors, for the on-air broadcast. There won't be any "on page" sponsors, only during the voice broadcast.

Jim

I hope Mr. Obiefan doesn't see this.

[DragonTigerNemesis]

Wow, then the timing of this thread was impeccable for you, wasn't it?? Dang.


Yea---I don't have anything personal against Mr. Voice.
I just get tired of the mess and the stink from all the strays, inside/outside and outside cats in the neighborhood.

I just plain FREAKING AMAZES me that cat owners don't see the problems they are causing, and in fact get all indignant when confronted about it.

When the lady across the street and I had a discussion on the same subject a few years ago, I asked her how she would feel if once a week I let my four-year-old son crap on her front porch, crawl around on her car and pee on her front door.
She was aghast at the thought.
She was also too stupid to see the parallel. :jestera:

[LEOGER]

It's strange how time have changed
when I was growing up we let out cats roam around
and my dad worked around the house
when I grew up
we were to keep cats indoors and let our
husbands roam around

[CarlE]

It's strange how time have changed
when I was growing up we let out cats roam around
and my dad worked around the house
when I grew up
we were to keep cats indoors and let our
husbands roam around

Say WHAT?

[The Voice]

leoger.. lololol .. great!

The REAL issue here is personal space and the respect that should go with it.
In my case, I see, the error of my way on the cat thing, and shall resolve it. I do admit that I was blind sided by the womans approach. I had no idea how that when you're doing somthing wrong and are unaware of it, how angering that can be to someone else. it really DOES come down to respect for others.
Her attack was blatant and disrespectful to someone for a first time conversation about an issue that i had no idea I was doing. Rest assured;this was not and is not about a cat whatsoever. it's about control. it's about 'don't screw with my space'. Here's the lack of respect I'm talking about..
- loud stereo's blarring the 'f' word at a traffic light when your kids in the car
and the person in the car dares you to say somthing.
- your 'neighbor steps out onto the lawn to smoke and that smoke goes right into my kitchen window.
ya all get the idea.. seems their is no respect for society anymore. As this thread pointed out, my cat issue is a small uneventful issue to some, and a major issue to others. in essence, this thread is a potrait of the many colors that make our society what it is.

tv

[werperry]

i have cats. keep them indoors. ...i'm stunned i actually read that whole thread... :oops:

[werperry]

Say WHAT?

ROTFLMAO.... lithium?

[Spize]

Say WHAT?

I think what she means is when she was young the cats ran around and the husband's stay home and that is what society expected

However today the cats stay in home and the husbands run around, and society sees that as more acceptable today.,

[Dr Strangemind]

I have seven good reasons I NEVER have a problem with stray cats hanging out in my yard or my garage ... :scratchchin: