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IMDB rating: 7.10 Plot: Shy, chain-smoking, insomniac Peter McGowan is an L.A. playwright with a string of hits that preceded his current ten years of failed productions. His mother-in-law is sinking into senility, a stranger is meandering the neighborhood claiming to be him, neighbors have a new dog that barks all night; his wife wants to have a child, and he does not: he’s become impotent. He’s working on a new play when a single mom moves in next door with her 8-year-old daughter. His wife immediately invites the girl into the McGowan household. Will this child stir Peter’s paternal feelings? Will she also help him get his dialogue right? And what of his doppelganger and the neighbor’s dog? |
Available versions:
DivX Version (Normal Quality), DVD (Good Quality), PDA Version
Actors: Branagh Kenneth,Harris Jared,Riegert Peter,Krumholtz David,Schaech Johnathon,Rickaby Brett,Kellock Derek,Comedy,Drama,
If my dog kills my neighbor's cat, can they sue?
My neighbor’s cat is in my yard at least once a day and I worry about it’s well-being. My dog has a seriously high prey drive and has killed everything from mice to raccoons (and will probably have no problem taking down a cat if he gets a hold of it). This cat is not afraid of dogs and has actually tried to go up to my dog before. I’ve warned my neighbor that their cat has a death wish, but they didn’t seem bothered by that. I’m worried that if the cat enters my yard again, my dog will kill it. Can they sue me for that?
Also, just to clarify, my dog loves children, people, and other dogs. He just likes to go after very small, unfamiliar, furry, animals. 
As long as your yard is fenced or your dog is restrained according to the law and is on your property, then you are being a responsible pett owner. You have let the owner know that you are concerned for their cat being on your property. I would follow what other people here have said and send this in a registered letter so you have written proof that you warned them. Just tell them that you are concerned that your dog had killed a mouse before and you are concerned that their cat might be in danger on your property. They can always sue you, but are unlikely to win.
For the sake of the cat, you might try a spray that will deter the cat from coming in the yard. Here is an example of one. http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js p?productId=2754438&lmdn=Cat
You can also try burying orange peels in parts of the yard since cats do not generally like the smell of citrus.
shywolf4 | Nov 12, 2009
As long as your dog stays in your yard, then no they cannot. You aren’t doing anything wrong by letting your own dog in your yard. Its YOUR property, their cat is infringing upon it. For the sake of kindness, I would definitely shoo the cat away anytime I saw it come into the yard, but you can’t be on patrol 24/7. They are taking a chance with their cats life, and that is pretty darn sad. You are not in the wrong here.
Kia Koala (Go Phils!!!) | Nov 12, 2009
Not at all. Your dog is in your yard and on your property. The cat is allowed outside unsupervised and it doesn’t have a leash on. In some areas, cats are also required to have on leash. If they choose to continue to allow their cat out and it goes in your yard and gets too close to your dog and the dog attacks, there’s nothing they can do about it legally.
lgdubya | Nov 12, 2009
clear that can!
Luck | Nov 12, 2009
How about fixing your fence so that the cat can’t get in as easily? If the cat is on your property and the neighbors have been warned, it’s not likely they can sue you (at least not successfully, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try and cost you a big hassle)…. my main concern here is that an innocent cat could be brutally killed by your dog. I don’t know how you’re going to fix this situation… perhaps a registered or certified letter to your neighbors laying out very carefully that you are not responsible for their cat on your property, that in fact it is up to them to keep their cat OFF of your property and that you don’t trust your dog when it comes to the cat…. and keep a copy of that letter for yourself.
Can they sue you? Anyone can sue anyone for anything… can they WIN? Likely not, but in the meantime it could make your life hell…. and a cat would have been brutally slaughtered in the meantime as well.
So find a better way to contain your dog/exclude the cat from your yard, put it on record that you’ve warned your neighbors, and try to train your dog to be less predatory, at least toward cats. Even an animal with a high prey drive can be taught to view cats as "family" or "part of the pack" so that they don’t attack them.
mebekili | Nov 12, 2009
Warn the neighbours in writing (registered letter) that their cat is at risk. Then keep the receipt.
Legally there really isn’t anything they can do after that because they can’t even plead ignorance of the situation.
Rapid Fire | Nov 12, 2009
if your dog is on a leash and u warned the neighbors u can not be sued. it would be the cats fault for going in your yard with an unfriendly dog. no offence!
the coolest! | Nov 12, 2009
No. You have warned your neighbors about the danger their cat is in. You could contact animal control and file a complaint that the neighbors refuse to control their cat. Every city has an ordinance that says all animals, including cats are to be kept on their owners property and under their owner’s control.
They wouldn’t be able to sue over their cat being killed in your back yard, but perhaps you could chase it out with loud noise, squirt gun or something else non harmful. Perhaps the cat will learn before it’s too late to stay out of your yard. It’s possible that the cat has a dog at home it’s safe with and figures all dogs are ok.
I’d work to run the cat out. If your dog does get to the unfortunate animal and kills it, your relationship with your neighbors may suffer and your dog may too, depending on what kind of people your neighbors are. Hopefully they’ll care more about it than they do now.
Start with animal control. Perhaps that will turn the trick.
Sweet Tsiri | Nov 12, 2009
You could try calling Animal Control about the loose cat, maybe the neighbor’s will get it, before your dog does.
DB1011 | Nov 12, 2009
no they cant sue its your land there cats in your land so your dog can go ahead and kill it
Javier | Nov 12, 2009
I saw this on Judge Judy. The cat came on your property and your dog was being a dog. I think it came down to animals being animals and the people did not win the lawsuit. As long as the dog stays on your property you are doing nothing wrong.
My neighbors one both sides have 2-3 large dogs EACH so I do not let my kitty out and when i do I keep an eye on her making sure she does not go over the fence. If she did i know its my fault. I know the dogs are there so I am the one taking a risk letting kitty outside. All the dogs are in a fenced backyard with secure gates so the neighbors are doing nothing wrong.
ravenpoe787 | Nov 12, 2009
No u can not be sued for that, but if a dog kills any and everything that come within two feet of him, that’s not good, what about kids as well? u should see about getting u r dog some help about this. but you’re it the right about your yard..
Someome who's here to help | Nov 12, 2009
nope.
If it happens on your yard- it’s their fault.
If your dog went on to their property and killed the cat, then yes.
But it’s their fault since the cat keeps coming over. If you’re really concerned, call animal control.
KHAYOS-supprt HR1207!!!! | Nov 12, 2009
Call animal control, and see just what local laws you have. Probably you would be fine, but an awareness of the law in your town will really help. I have a friend who was sued successfully when their gentle dog – in his own yard – bit a child through the fence who was teasing him by poking him with a stick. While the dog was clearly in the right, the law sided with the child who was clearly in the wrong, and their homeowner’s policy paid dearly for this one. You can then tell your neighbor what the local laws are as they pertain to free roaming cats, and that you will call animal control to pick up the cat for his own protection.
J C | Nov 12, 2009
Tags: 20002000, Branagh Kenneth, Comedy, Drama, Harris Jared, Kellock Derek, Krumholtz David, Rickaby Brett, Riegert Peter, Schaech Johnathon