Would this worry anyone else? :(

[Alec Swan]

Cats and Dogs. The eternal quandary, isn't it? It's generally only the most determined of dogs, which single handedly, could kill a cat. Cats often give a very good account of themselves, and only the hardest of dogs will tackle them. They don't just have a fearful bite, they also have four well armed feet!!

That said, the bloke with the cat, on a lead? He's an idiot. In your shoes OP, I'd probably find somewhere else to walk the dog. It's unfair, I realise, but should your dog kill 'The idiot's' cat, then it will be you who will be deemed responsible, I suspect.

Alec.

 

[Copperpot]

My next door neighbour's cat comes in my yard and "teases" Bobby, sitting just out of reach or runs through the yard and leaps the wall in the nick of time. It drives Bobby frantic and worries me as the cat's getting old now and only had to make one mistake...

Nothing I can do though. I can't keep the cat out of the yard.

My jrt has killed 2 feral cats in the yard. They used to tease him and in the end they misjudged what they could get away with.

 

[FionaM12]

Alec, I suspect my Bobby might be just the dog to do it. He's lovely with people. fine with other dogs. But any other animals he seems programmed to chase and (probably) kill. He's a rescue dog and I think in his past life he was encouraged in this and I've not been able to teach him otherwise. He's impervious to pain so the cat's teeth and claws wouldn't put him off.

Also, he has a jaw like this:

Next time I get a rescue dog, I might make it a toy poodle.

 

[FionaM12]

My jrt has killed 2 feral cats in the yard. They used to tease him and in the end they misjudged what they could get away with.

Although I'd be upset by that, at least they were feral so no grieving family. My neighbour's cat Smudge is adored by the owner and her two daughters, the youngest is only about seven. I can't bear the thought of my dog breaking their hearts.

About 15 years ago, my two previous terriers grabbed a (different) neighbour's kitten which wandered into the yard. My terriers were used to small furries, my yard was full of rabbits and ducklings which roamed freely and they never touched, but the kitten was an intruder. The poor thing suffered multiple broken bones. It survived but I paid the vet's bill as an apology and the whole thing was traumatic for everyone.

But as I say, I'd taught those dogs to co-exist with my collection of little fluffies, it was funny watching them being bossed about by ducklings and rabbits. However, the instinct was still there when an alien fluffy came by.

 

[Alec Swan]

Alec, I suspect my Bobby might be just the dog to do it. He's lovely with people. fine with other dogs. But any other animals he seems programmed to chase and (probably) kill. He's a rescue dog and I think in his past life he was encouraged in this and I've not been able to teach him otherwise. He's impervious to pain so the cat's teeth and claws wouldn't put him off.

Also, he has a jaw like this:

Next time I get a rescue dog, I might make it a toy poodle.

A focused and determined Staff would be the match for just about any cat! I suppose that on the plus side, at least Pussy's demise would be relatively quick.

Alec.

 

[HashRouge]

On the one hand I do think the man has every right to walk his cat wherever he wants, but on the other I do think he's taking too much of a risk. I certainly wouldn't do it with my cats, although the chance of either of them deigning to be "walked" by me on a lead are less than zero anyway

 

[Copperpot]

Alec, I suspect my Bobby might be just the dog to do it. He's lovely with people. fine with other dogs. But any other animals he seems programmed to chase and (probably) kill. He's a rescue dog and I think in his past life he was encouraged in this and I've not been able to teach him otherwise. He's impervious to pain so the cat's teeth and claws wouldn't put him off.

Also, he has a jaw like this:

Next time I get a rescue dog, I might make it a toy poodle.

Oh god no. Give me a staffy anytime. Best dogs in the world!

My little jrt didn't get off injury free from the cats. He has scars on his face from their claws and one bit straight through his ear. All in a days work for a terrier in his mind.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

It's a bit risky to have a dog out of control in public.
£1000 fine for killing a pet and up to 2 years in prison and a fine of £5000 for attacking a person.

People do walk pets that aren't dogs on leads, there's a lady who goes around my old village with her her Love Birds on a lead and harness. Yes, really ! Some toy dogs are equally at risk of attack and yet no one questions their right to exercise cute little yappy things.

If a dog can't be trusted in public, it should be muzzled or on a lead.

 

[Meems]

I think it's a bit silly to walk a cat in an area predominantly used to exercise dogs. I can't see why he would want to walk the cat anyway (unless it's a 'house cat' and doesn't normally get any exercise).

My little dog who wouldn't normally chase or hurt a fly - she has no hunting instinct whatsoever and the rabbits at the farm could literally run rings around her - HATES cats with a vengeance and would not think twice of at least giving it a good chase, although I have no doubt that she would come off the worse in a cat-v-dog situation.

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I think it's a bit silly to walk a cat in an area predominantly used to exercise dogs.

Its a public park, open to everyone, not a private space designated for dogs.

Do those with cat hating dogs feel that they should do any work with their dogs to lessen the risk to people's pets ? Most dog owners understand that a dogs natural instinct to kill the lambs and chickens they might encounter on walks is not acceptable , so why not have the same responsibility to cats ?

 

[Copperpot]

Lambs and chickens aren't small and furry. Most dogs don't see such things as prey. Unfortunately cats fall into the same category as rabbits/rats/squirrels/foxes etc in my dogs eyes. If I knew there was a man with a cat on a lead I simply would avoid the area. I tend to walk my dogs on private land anyway where they have permission to do as they choose.

I most definitely do not want to do any work with my dogs that discourages them from "hunting" small furry animals. That is what they are bred to do. They won't chase sheep/chickens etc as simply they aren't on their list.

 

[Alec Swan]

Its a public park, open to everyone, not a private space designated for dogs.

.......?

Could the same not be said for public highways? Prance about in the middle of the road, and though pedestrians will have the right to be there, there's a degree of common sense to be applied, and anyone who takes their cat, into a predominately dog focused environment, and the end result my well be a mangled cat.

No. It isn't right perhaps, but it is the way it is, I'm afraid, and lecturing dog owners who may not keep a cat of their own, would be rather futile, I'd have thought.

Alec.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Do those with cat hating dogs feel that they should do any work with their dogs to lessen the risk to people's pets ? Most dog owners understand that a dogs natural instinct to kill the lambs and chickens they might encounter on walks is not acceptable , so why not have the same responsibility to cats ?

My JRT has been trained very effectively. Unfortunately, the 'trainers' are the local moggies who stroll into our garden and then delight at taunting him through the window! If he gets out into the garden to see them off, they will hop on to a tree or fence and blow raspberries at him!

No training I could do, will overcome this .

I would, of course, have him on a lead if I was expecting to encounter a cat on a lead, but I have never seen one round here, so we would all be taken by surprise.

 

[Meems]

Its a public park, open to everyone, not a private space designated for dogs.

Do those with cat hating dogs feel that they should do any work with their dogs to lessen the risk to people's pets ? Most dog owners understand that a dogs natural instinct to kill the lambs and chickens they might encounter on walks is not acceptable , so why not have the same responsibility to cats ?

Whether or not it's a public park or not, if it's a space 99% used to exercise dogs - why take a cat there?? In fact I don't think it's a bit silly, it's silly in the extreme.

My dog has no 'natural instinct to chase lambs or chickens' - she has never chased a lamb and the farm where I keep my horse has free range chickens, they literally go right under her nose she has no problems with them, she has never chased or worried them, nor the guinea pigs that I used to keep. She just hates cats intensely, which might go back to when she was a puppy and was attacked by one for absolutely no reason.

 

[Spring Feather]

Lambs and chickens aren't small and furry. Most dogs don't see such things as prey. Unfortunately cats fall into the same category as rabbits/rats/squirrels/foxes etc in my dogs eyes. If I knew there was a man with a cat on a lead I simply would avoid the area. I tend to walk my dogs on private land anyway where they have permission to do as they choose.

I most definitely do not want to do any work with my dogs that discourages them from "hunting" small furry animals. That is what they are bred to do. They won't chase sheep/chickens etc as simply they aren't on their list.

That's how my dogs are too. Mine know that small furry creatures are for them to eradicate at will, which they do very competently. The interest mine show in foals, calves and lambs is to care for them and protect them. My dogs love my own indoor cats, so long as they are indoors. If our cats were outside where the dogs would not expect to see them, I fear they would also be killed in the heat of the moment. The only thing I think that could save our own cats would be if they were able to climb out of the way and the dogs were able to smell them first and then they'd know that it was them.

 

[2Greys]

I think the cat owner is crazy to walk his cat in a place that's popular for off lead dogs, just not worth the risk & i wouldn't fancy trying to hold a scared cat out of reach of a dog. Be better somewhere open so can at least see dogs approach or where dogs are on leads.

I think when allowing dog offlead you prepare for normal risks and may avoid testing situations such as livestock. Cats or other small furries being walked is fairly rare so is a little bit harsh to expect to dog owners to have trained enough to cope with that event.

 

[RunToEarth]

Lambs and chickens aren't small and furry. Most dogs don't see such things as prey. Unfortunately cats fall into the same category as rabbits/rats/squirrels/foxes etc in my dogs eyes. If I knew there was a man with a cat on a lead I simply would avoid the area. I tend to walk my dogs on private land anyway where they have permission to do as they choose.

I most definitely do not want to do any work with my dogs that discourages them from "hunting" small furry animals. That is what they are bred to do. They won't chase sheep/chickens etc as simply they aren't on their list.

I can see both sides. My JRTs would have an absolute field day with a cat - I don't walk them in public - they are ratting dogs and live on the farm - it is just unfortunate if a cat appears whilst they are about.

My springers however are gundogs and I do not expect them to chase anything ever. They don't come out with the JRTs as I don't like to teach them bad habits - I expect my spaniels to sit by my heels whilst all manner of wildlife is running about around them and not move - I have had a dog get up and chase a hare across a grouse moor and she ended up neck deep in a peat bog - it is very important they understand not to chase or worry anything - I suppose it all boils down to what you want your dog for.

 

[Copperpot]

Oh yes it does. And terriers probably have more of a drive to catch things like cats. When OH had a working cocker it was never allowed out with the terriers. The things they do are not acceptable for that type of dog lol. But the terriers are used for pest control. They are working bred and I doubt I could do anything to dampen that drive or want to kill. My dobie would chase a cat but not actually harm it as she doesn't have that in her.

Like you I don't often walk the dogs in public. After a squirrel incident up the local park in front of quite a few people, we tend to keep well away.

 

[Aru]

There is a reason that almost every small animals vets practice has a sign saying dogs on a lead and cats in carriers at all times.
Its so we are covered from liability to people and animals involved when some idiot brings a cat in in their arms instead of a carrier......cue some of the dogs in the waiting room going nuts to get to the cat, leading to said idiot being clawed by the cat as it frantically tries to get away...and thats a happy ending scenario.
We have had a cat killed in our practice this way. By another clients dog,who incidentally was on a lead at the time,but was leaving the office as the cat entered,neither owner seen each other on time,the cat escaped the owners arms and tried to run from the strange dog.Was dead in less than 30 seconds.
We now rent carrier to anyone who arrives without one. No carrier,no visit. Scarily enough id say its rented out ever second week!I dont know where people are getting these car tolerant cats but we have a lot of loose ones come in!They make me very edgy until I see them in a carrier.

That cats owner is an idiot. Its an accident waiting to happen. Loose dog arrives without warning and a cat hindered by a leash....just not wise.
Personally however I would walk elsewhere until he realises the error of his ways because I would feel bad if my dog killed his cat.

 

[Goldenstar]

He undeniably has the right to walk his cat on a lead .
But given the behaviour of many dogs with cats it not very bright.
I absolutely can't abide dogs that are bad with cats .
I also would love to know how he trained the cat mine would not comply .

 

[Aru]

Forgot to add...he has of course got the right to walk his cat wherever it wants.
Doesn't mean its a good idea though.

 

[FionaM12]

Forgot to add...he has of course got the right to walk his cat wherever it wants.
Doesn't mean its a good idea though.

I certainly don't dispute his right to do, just his wisdom and kindness to his cat.

I haven't walked my lad that way since. I take him to an open field part instead, where there's much better visibility (for me) so I'd be able to see the cat man at a distance and put Bob on his lead. Fortunately Bob's quite happy to wear himself out chasing a ball instead of running through the wooded bit.

Many, many other dogs do go that way though and their owners will have no warning of the approach of the cat.

 

[Booboos]

Think about it this way: suppose a horse rider went for a hack in the same park, he had a right to do so but by coincidence there have been no other riders hacking there for years, she's the first one. Also by coincidence there are 99% dogs in the park, some of whom chase horses, would you expect the horse rider to stop hacking there or the dog owners to keep their dogs under control? I would think that the number of horse riders and the frequency of their hacking is irrelevant, the owner whose animal is not under control has an obligation to keep it under control. Why should the rider or the cat walker not be able to enjoy the facilities in relative safety like everyone else because your dog can't be trusted not to chase horses or cats?

 

[Alec Swan]

Well made points Booboos, but as cats are apparently the traditional prey (or loathing!), of some dogs, and with the apparent risk to human life, of dogs which will attack horses, so the outcry would be greater. The 'popular' held belief, that when cats and dogs meet, the cat has to take it's chances, really has to prevail.

Over the years I've had a great many sheepdogs, and to a dog, they've hated cats. Why? Not because I do, because I don't. There are those dogs which are wired up, and beyond the scale, with a hatred of cats, and if anyone takes their cat in to an area where they will be aware that dogs are on off lead exercise, then they are asking for trouble, and putting themselves and their charge's at risk.

Generally, in just about any walk of life, the majority user has preference. Most Motorway accidents are caused by those who are driving at less than 50 mph, and not by those who are exceeding the speed limit, so I'm assured, and as always, it seems that the minority, seem to make demands which the majority, seem unable to accept, or to even be aware of.

Alec.