Dogs and Cats

16Right · 02-08-2007, 02:53 PM

Hello all,

I was walking my three dogs today and on the way home my 11 year old Husky-Malamute managed to slip through his collar and proceeded to sprint away. I tried to keep up with him while keeping the other two in check but this was not easy. I was right near my home and he has followed me home in the past. I led him towards our garage, dropped the other two dogs off, and proceeded to go after him. He came into sight around a fence with an adult cat in his mouth. There was no doubt in my mind that the cat had been killed.

I phoned one of my parents (I'm a Senior in High School) and my mother got in touch with the neighberhood captain. She says she sees several stray cats in the area and that it was likely a stray. Regardless, I told her to send a neighberhood-wide e-mail regarding the cat with a description. The cat is collarless and still has its claws.

My question now is, what can happen to my dog? I know the owner has a right to sue but I mean authority-wise. Will he be euthanized? Will restrictions be placed on him? If anyone has been through a similar ordeal please let me know.

I am a college student and have a class but will return in two hours. Your advice is appreciated.

Thank You
Matt

DOBERMAN_07 · 02-08-2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 16Right

Hello all,

I was walking my three dogs today and on the way home my 11 year old Husky-Malamute managed to slip through his collar and proceeded to sprint away. I tried to keep up with him while keeping the other two in check but this was not easy. I was right near my home and he has followed me home in the past. I led him towards our garage, dropped the other two dogs off, and proceeded to go after him. He came into sight around a fence with an adult cat in his mouth. There was no doubt in my mind that the cat had been killed.

I phoned one of my parents (I'm a Senior in High School) and my mother got in touch with the neighberhood captain. She says she sees several stray cats in the area and that it was likely a stray. Regardless, I told her to send a neighberhood-wide e-mail regarding the cat with a description. The cat is collarless and still has its claws.

My question now is, what can happen to my dog? I know the owner has a right to sue but I mean authority-wise. Will he be euthanized? Will restrictions be placed on him? If anyone has been through a similar ordeal please let me know.

I am a college student and have a class but will return in two hours. Your advice is appreciated.

Thank You
Matt

Its natural, your dog did nothing wrong. I give you props for going through all the trouble after the incident

Nacho · 02-08-2007, 03:42 PM

So are you in high school or college? I guess it's normal. I worried when my 2 previous dogs didn't go after stray cats. If it was a stray, then you're ok. If it was owned by someone, then you may have to buy them a new one.

ps, that's some neighborhood you've got there. neighborhood captain, e-mail of every neighbor, DAMN!!

MagicToller · 02-08-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

My question now is, what can happen to my dog? I know the owner has a right to sue but I mean authority-wise. Will he be euthanized? Will restrictions be placed on him? If anyone has been through a similar ordeal please let me know.

Don't worry, nobody can do anything to your dog or put any kinds of restraints or something of that nature. Dogs are typically euthanized when they viciously attack another dog or a person. If someone even MAKES the attempt to persue legal pressings, just know that you are NOT responsible for free-ranging cats who are not licensed or kept indoors. You have done all you can and I respect you for coming out as you did to find as much information as possible. For now, take your dog to the vet to make sure the cat didn't do any damage itself while in the incident incase it may have scratched or bitten with the chance of infection.

Lorina · 02-08-2007, 03:48 PM

What a horrible thing to witness.

If the cat has an owner, your family may be legally responsible for "property" damage. As much as people tend to think of pets as family, according to the law, they're just property.

I seriously doubt your dog's life is at risk. At most, he may need to be quarantined for 10 days or be evaluated for behavioral problems.

Also, if you still have the cat's body, you may want to consider having it tested for rabies. Your local shelter or game commission should be able to get you in touch with the proper authorities to have it tested.

lovemygreys · 02-08-2007, 04:04 PM

Hopefully your dog is UTD on their vaccinations...especially rabies. Cat bites and scratches can be bad news in terms of infection, so I would go over your dog CLOSELY and look for any injuries.

Your dog didn't attack a person, which is what usually puts a dog's life in jeopardy. And it's not a pitbull/bully breed, which seems to be an automatic strike against a dog. I guess if the cat has a family somewhere they may technically be able to sue you in civil court for the 'market value' of the cat....Of course, they shouldn't have their cat roaming at large, especially without ID on it. I'd say in this case, owners of both animals are at fault for failing to control their animals and neither deserves a money from the other.

Since you notified everyone in your neighborhood, your dog now has a strike against it. It's a cat killer. Even though that's part of what dogs do (just like cats kill birds and mice), big dogs who are aggressive to other animals are judged more harshly...esp by "non-dog" people. If your dog ever bites or attacks (or threatens to attack) a human being, there is now a record of a history of aggression. You need to take some serious precautions to ensure your dog does not get loose from you again. Personally, I wouldn't have said a word about the cat to anyone. It can only create problems for you and your dog.

16Right · 02-08-2007, 06:06 PM

Thanks for the replies. He is UTD on all vaccinations as I checked with the vet. In the e-mail, I anticipated that "first strike" against him so I made sure to word it in a way that would not incriminate him "informally". I just had her say a cat had been found without revealing its condition. Once again thanks for the replies.

And for who asked - I am a high school student in a program where I take college classes the majority of my day. Free tutiton is something I just can't turn down. Our neighborhood recently established "neighborhood watch" so any participants in the program (most of the neighborhood) were e-mailed. That's what I meant when I said block captain, haha.

Matt

Chloef_2799 · 02-09-2007, 11:38 AM

I would doubt that you and your dog could get into much trouble over something like that. I mean if you think about, if the cat did belong to someone, then you have your defence. He was outside, no collar or ID tags and although it is sad that the cat was killed, dogs will do what dogs will do. Definitely keep an eye on him for infection though, cats can have VERY dirty claws and teeth. I have seen some nasty abcesses on dogs and cats alike caused by other kitties.
Hope everything turns out ok for you and your dog!!