My cat was attacked by a neighbor's dog...

[moriah]

She's at the vet right now, several bites that the vet isn't sure how well they'll heal (and said that many cats don't survive dog bites because of the crushing trauma to the tissue, not as much the tears)... what's worse is that she's bleeding into one of her lungs (though it's not punctured). They've got her on oxygen right now and still aren't sure if she's going to have to be put to sleep.

How did this happen? I got a text -- I'm renting a room from a gentleman who was kind enough to allow me and my two cats. He's renting a room to another couple as well. The side door to the house does not latch properly after a roof leak. It's way out in the country. The large dog (looks like either a Chow or Akita mix, and looks like it outweighs me) pushed the door open and got inside the house, and went after the cat.

I identified the neighbors that own that dog, along with two others, that they allow to roam. They have a fenced-in back yard, but the food and water dishes (three food dishes, one continual waterer) are outside of the fenced area. There is a leash law in my county, and my vet already said that they have to report all attacks, even on other animals, by non-confined dogs.

I feel really crappy. I don't know what will happen to the dog. I wish I had been there, and feel guilty it happened while I was out. Just because I may lose my pet, I don't want them to lose theirs. The dog is extremely submissive to humans. And I think if it hadn't been, that the others who room with me wouldn't have been able to get him off of my cat with as little damage as she had.

[Paulie]

1. Sorry to hear about your cat!!! OMG

You're not at fault so no guilt!

[Xyzse]

2. I am just sorry to hear that.

I don't know what to say...

I hope the cat makes it through.

[RebelOne]

3. I hope the dog's owner is going to pay vet bills for your cat's injuries. n/t

[moriah]

6. I hope so. They weren't home when I was canvassing the neighborhood.

I kind of feel bad for even being sure that they're the owners of the dogs, but what I did was get a friend of mine to go with me and we basically let the dogs roam and followed them. Eventually they went to a house on the road, and went behind the house. I followed since there wasn't any fencing or no-tresspassing signs, and saw them go under a porch and saw the food and water dishes on the porch. I took a picture on my cell phone, from a distance (I didn't want to go on their porch at all, that could have gotten *me* in trouble).

Hopefully when they are home they won't deny owning the dog. If they can't identify the owners, the dogs will be taken to a shelter I'm sure. I'd like to give the neighbor a chance to make it right, instead of them coming home to find their dogs gone.

[agracie]

26. No need to feel bad. That's called good detective work. nt

[Agschmid]

4. Sorry to hear about this it is incredibly frustrating!

Something should be done with the dogs and this kind of thing should not happen again. The owners of pets Re responsible for their actions.

Recently my neighbors got a dog, it's a small dog and likely it will stay that way. I don't know a ton about breeds so I am not sure. Regardless the neighbor just ties the dog to the front door when they let it outside.... I know right?

Well now every time u leave my place the dog makes a beeline right in my door... Luckily my cat is a sleeper and has not noticed it happening yet. I talked to my neighbor... So far no change.

[siligut]

5. Very upsetting

Best hopes and healing vibes for kitty.

[Arugula Latte]

7. I'm so sorry!!! Poor kitty!!!

[hlthe2b]

8. I'm very sorry this happened, but don't give up hope on kitty's survival...

It is amazing what they can recover from and how good the veterinary care can be--sometimes more timely and comprehensive than what is available to we mere mortal humans.

I will keep you and your kitty in my thoughts and healing wishes.


(and you probably need animal control to at least come out and register the complaint so that you have it to take to civil court, should you wish to do so to recover cost of veterinary bills later)... But, if you are like me, the really important thing is that your furry babe recovers.

[Helen Reddy]

9. How traumatic!

For you and your kitty friend. As another poster said, cats are resilient and tough. Hope she makes it through.

I also hope the dog does not get euthanized over this either.

[moriah]

10. Agreed. The dog is really sweet to people.

Just because it attacked my cat doesn't mean that it's a bad dog. It just needs a better owner that will take better care of it instead of letting it roam...

[Helen Reddy]

11. You are so kind and wise

to understand this. Obviously, you think things through and not knee-jerk react. Frankly, my German Shepherd dog, left unattended with any dog or cat would probably be not so friendly. If anything were to happen, it would definitely be 100 percent MY fault.

[Flaxbee]

12. I'm so sorry about your kitty. I hope she survives and thrives. Poor girl.

And I'd worry the same way about the dog -- I wouldn't want him or her to be harmed, either. He/she was just doing what dogs sometimes do.

It would be worse if it was an attack on a person - probably be a fine or something for the attack on your cat, but I don't think (esp. if they can prove the dog has had his/her shots) it won't be any more severe than that. Especially if you can tell whatever authorities there are of your wishes.

Please let us know how your kitty baby is.

[MissB]

13. I'm so sorry.

I understand why you feel conflicted. I would be angry. I think your concern is touching.

I hope your cat will pull through.

[agracie]

27. Ditto. I would be very angry. nt

[SEMOVoter]

14. I hope your Kitty girl heals

[Tuesday Afternoon]

15. please keep us updated *~*~*vibes to your kitty*~*~*

I hope it all works out for everyone.

[Honeycombe8]

16. Oh, my. I'm so sorry. I hope your cat recovers fully.

He's lucky. I saw a cat attacked by two dogs a while back; it didn't end well, although I ran out there as fast as I could and stopped it. But it was too late.

The dog's owner should pay the vet bills, of course.

Who is responsible for the door latch?

[moriah]

17. The latch? The guy I'm renting a room from.

He had a roof leak and the door doesn't close flush.

Which means if I do anything at all legally, it'll cause him trouble with his neighbors.

Legally, the county would hold the neighbor who is feeding all three dogs responsible. According to my landlord, that dog is a stray and the other two are his neighbors (which is backed up by the fact two of them have collars on). But he's got food dishes out for all three of them, and all three roam loose. So even if he doesn't care about the one dog, the county would try to take his other two.

[Honeycombe8]

18. Oh....what a mess. Dogs will chase cats and go into places with unlocked doors.

Dogs will be dogs. Altho not all dogs kill cats. Dogs raised around cats don't usually try to hurt them. But it's not the dog's fault. It sounds like it's the fault of the place's owner, who doesn't have a properly working latch. Even if the door doesn't close flush...what if an intruder came in and killed YOU? The door has to be able to be secured.

But if he's letting you stay there for free, I see your problem.

If you can afford it, I'd just pay teh vet bill and not cause trouble. But the door has to be secured!

I hope your cat recovers. Poor thing.

[moriah]

19. But why should the condition of the door matter....

.... if the dog was off the owner's property?

If my cat had been in their yard, that would be something completely different. The door could not be pulled open from the inside by my cat, only pushed open from the outside. My cats were properly confined. (Edit to add: county law requires all animals, both dogs and cats, to be properly confined. Mine was far closer to properly confined than the dog.)

It was the element of the dog putting its body weight on the door and pushing it open... and why was the dog there?

Meh. I *can't* afford it. That's why I'm renting a room instead of in an apartment. That's why I'm buying ramen and peanut butter and rather upset that I don't have any extra weight to lose -- I got too skinny already this year per my doctor when I got below 100 lbs.

I just don't know. It sucks. She's still alive, which is the only good thing. But I have no idea how I'm going to take care of the bill.

[Honeycombe8]

21. The dog came in, you said, through the unsecured door?

It's the fault of the owner for not securing the door, if he knew about it and had a reasonable time to fix it.

I'm not sure if you're responsible, too, since you paid rent to stay there, so it's your residence. But I don't know what kind of lock you could've gotten to work on a door that doesn't close all the way.

If it's a stray dog and doesn't belong to the neighbor, you're stuck. I doubt the owner of your apt will pay. But he has to fix the door. Like I said...what if an intruder just walks in and hurts you? A door that doesn't close all the way can be jimmied to close...maybe sanding down one part of the side that meets with the latch side, so that it closes enough to lock. Or he can buy a used door and install it himself...unless it's the door frame that's out of whack. It's an owner's responsibility to keep a rented residence in working order.

[moriah]

23. It's the doorframe that's not square all the way. Roof leak.

The problem is... the dog isn't truly stray. The neighbor is feeding it, has a permanent food dish, etc, and has been for the last six months. Legally they're considered the owners after a week of feeding a stray dog (Pulaski County, AR).

But if the law gets involved, the dog has a high likelihood of getting put down. Per county ordinances, an attack on another domestic animal is enough to have the dog declared vicious, and if the owner doesn't claim them and take responsibility, they would get put down. If the dog was in Little Rock, and my cat survived, it would have a second chance -- two attacks against another animal is what's required if the first didn't kill the other animal. But the county is very strict.

[Honeycombe8]

24. Hmmmm, that's touchy. I still say it's the owner's responsibility.

An apartment MUST have a secure door. I'm sure there's a law somewhere about that....slumlords and such. A safety feature.

But for the door being "open," nothing would have happened. If YOU had been teh one injured, the apt owner might be sitting in jail right now for failing to provide a safe residence, if you had notified him of the problem.

The dog might be put down for being vicious, but I can almost bet money that if you sued the apt owner in small claims court for the vet bills, you'd win, hands down. IT IS THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A SAFE, SECURE DOOR TO AN APARTMENT HE RENTS. There is no exception to that rule.

You're talking about getting the dog in trouble, which I understand and would feel the same way. But I'm talking about the irresponsible owner. I used to lease a condo. An owner MUST provide reasonable safety features to a residence. It's sort of like....if I lease you a boat with a hole in the bottom, and it sinks, is it a boat? No...boats float. If I lease you an apt without a door, is it an apartment? Or is it more like an area or a cave dwelling, since it doesn't have a door?

[moriah]

28. Hon. I'm renting. A. Room. ;)

Last edited Wed Feb 6, 2013, 12:10 PM - Edit history (1)

As in, I'm living in the guy's house and paying $90 a week to rent one of his rooms. Not an apartment. Not a condo. We share the same kitchen, bathroom, and living area. And the same back patio door that doesn't latch but closes enough that you have to shove on the door to get it open (remember, the dog weighs more than me!). There are no laws in Arkansas that cover landlords with less than six properties -- if he had six rooms available, there might be conditions he had to maintain. But not in this situation.

Why? Because I'm flat broke. I cannot afford a different place right now.

Also, this is rural Pulaski County, Arkansas. That's why I was okay with a door that didn't secure properly -- you can hear any car coming because the dirt road is rough and noisy. The dogs that are fenced electronically (perimeter wire and collars) nearby are very loud if anyone comes near, whether it's a car or a person walking,

You are right that if I had been injured, even a sprained ankle, on the man's property, I could sue and it'd be covered under his homeowner's insurance. (Editing to add before reading any replies -- that may be incorrect, since he could argue I was living there rather than a guest, though his homeowners insurance might be a little upset that he didn't report he was renting rooms on the property. But I wouldn't do that anyway, it would be utterly silly.) Unless it had been an injury caused by a neighbor's dog. That's when it's their homeowner's that would kick in. But honestly, the question would be moot at that point. If the dog had attacked me, and I sought any kind of medical treatment, the county would be involved because doctors have to report any dog bites on humans. The dog would be declared vicious and likely euthanized (the requirements to keep a dog deemed vicious are very strict, including a requirement that they be kept in a fence they cannot jump -- it has to have a covered top.

-----

As for an update, still haven't heard from the vet yet this morning. Calling now.

[TorchTheWitch]

40. since the vet has to report, the legal issues are out of your hands

Your landlord is likely also going to be held responsible for the unsecured door that the dog was able to get through in order to get in the house. Were it not for that unsecured door, this never would have happened.

Incidentally, I realize that your financial situation is lousy, but for heaven's sake why are you renting a room from someone who's house is unsecured??? Both your landlord and the dog owner are responsible for what happened to your cat and both should be footing the vet bills and making some other kind of restitution.

Also, it may not be legal for him to rent rooms in his home. It isn't where I live as it makes them a de-facto boarding house establishment without the proper zoning, health and fire safety code checks, insurance, etc. It is entirely different then having a roommate because as you have unfortunately discovered, you are not on an equal footing with the person you both live with and pay to live there. Personally, I would withhold any rent from the landlord with whom you live until they pay the vet bills and secure the door.

I'd be really interested to know what the landlord has said to you about this incident.

[TuxedoKat]

20. So sorry to hear this

I hope your poor kitty recovers. (((HUGS)))

[roody]

22. So sorry.

[agracie]

25. Sounds like you do not want to put the landlord at fault lest...

you lose your room. Insist that the door be fixed. Then pursue payment from the neighbors who are allowing the dog to run lose. If that doesn't work, you will have to get the law involved. If the dog has to be put down, that is unfortunate, but maybe for the better in the long run. The next time he may take after a child.

If none of the above, then ask your vet for a discount. Ask if you can pay a small amount each month. Or maybe you could work off the bill in the vet office. Sometimes local humane societies can help. You should not have to pay this bill yourself, but life is not always fair.

I send good thoughts to you and your kitty. I wish both of you well. Please tell us how this all turns out.

[moriah]

33. Spot-on.

And I also don't want to cause him trouble with his neighbors. He has been here awhile, says he's very happy here, and is 60 years old.

The dog needs someone to be responsible for it, not euthanasia. And if I had the ability to move, that's what I'd be saying to everyone involved -- look, I'm not going to make a fuss and cause legal problems, because animal control laws are far crueler to the animal than they are to the people who are supposed to be responsible for it. Either take responsibility for the dog, put a collar on him, and make sure he gets vet care -- it's been six months -- or let me see if I can find someone who can take care of him and give him a real home.

But I'm not in a position to even argue that point and get them to take better care of that dog. Especially if the person who is currently feeding them is willing to let the dogs he claims as his, and would be upset at losing or getting impounded, run and chase after cars. Even on a dirt road they could get hurt, and one of his chased me all the way to the blacktop and nearly got hit by another car. That man is going to regret not fencing his animals in on the day that turns wrong. But I'll pray that day never comes.

[GreenPartyVoter]

29. It's not your fault. The neighbors should have done more to keep

their dogs confined.

It's very sad that something might happen to the dog, but it's equally sad that your poor kitty has been hurt in her own home. And it wouldn't have happened if the stupid dog owners had obeyed the leash laws.

Just tragic no matter how you look at it.

[kurtzapril4]

30. I'm so sorry about your kitty

And I hope she recovers quickly. I would go to the dog's owner/s and have them pay the vet bill. I hope you don't feel guilty...if I'm reading correctly, the dog came into your house and attacked the cat? I'd be really angry, and I'd lobby to have the dog put down...it's vicious. Today it's cats, tomorrow it could be small children.

Maybe you could politely lobby your landlord to put a hook and eye latch on the door? You can use those in instances where the doors aren't square.

Fingers and toes crossed for kitty.

[ceile]

31. so sorry about your kitty.

PLease keep us posted on her recovery.

[Loryn]

32. Hope Kitty is okay.

I'm so sorry. Your sensitivity to the situation is beautiful.

[moriah]

34. Update... finally!

The vet called at noon -- I've been out of pocket. She is still hanging in there, quiet, still on oxygen but not heavily labored breathing. She's not wanting to eat or drink, so they're starting an IV. But the vet said she really didn't expect her to be up to that yet anyway.

If she's not showing signs of improvement and interest in food (and I may bring up some canned food for her if that will peak her interest) by Friday, that's when the vet said it'd be time to let her go.

[TuxedoKat]

36. One time one of my cats

had stopped eating and drinking. He was an older cat at the and had just been to the vet for a check-up and shots and I think he had a bad reaction to the shots. Anyway, I took an eye dropper to put a few drops of water into his mouth and that got him eating and drinking again. Definitely bring wet cat food, tuna fish and chicken baby food, these i've all heard sometimes will get a cat to eat. Gook luck -- sending positive thoughts and prayers for your kitty.

[agracie]

37. Try a jar of baby food chicken. Put a bit of it on your finger, and see if she will...

lick it off. Sometimes it takes a bit of coaxing to get a sick or injured kitty to eat. Worked for me a few years back.

[GreenPartyVoter]

44. Only Step 1 baby food. Anything higher has onion powder in it, which is really bad for kittehs.

[agracie]

45. I did not know that. Thanks, GPV !!! Moriah, read the ingredients !!! nt

[GreenPartyVoter]

46. Our vet told us that when the elder kitties needed to be handfed. Made me

worry about all those years I never knew, and they had access to onions, garlic, and chives just left out in the kitchen at times.

[siligut]

48. Thank you GPV

This is very important and I hadn't even thought of it

[leftyladyfrommo]

42. I am so sorry.

Poor you. And poor cat. And poor dog.

I have to watch my dogs like a hawk. I wouldn't trust them for a second around cats.

[a la izquierda]

66. Mine either.

He hats cats and is a hunting breed. We've gotten him to be a good boy on a leash around them, but if we ever let him roam free...yikes.

[Sophiegirl]

43. Be sure to...

...feed her yourself...by hand. Just as we take comfort from those who love us, I believe that our furry kids have an even stronger connection to us. You will give her that comfort, even if she can't overcome her injuries.

I recently had to put down my 16 year old border collie. I knew it was time. But as much as I dreaded it, I was there for her at the end and I believe it mattered to her. Watching her cross the Rainbow Bridge.

I encourage you to stay with your baby if worse comes to worse. It will mean everything to both of you. And, I hope that it doesn't come to that.

Good Karma to you both for a happy recovery.

[magical thyme]

35. I'm so sorry

Hope your kitty pulls through. How kind and understanding you are...I hope the owners of the dog have learned their lesson and 1. reimburse you for vet expenses and 2. take better care of their dog.

[undeterred]

38. Some dogs have a strong prey drive and if they are not raised around cats

they can not be trusted around them. My current dog is like that - I wouldn't trust him around a cat even though he has never actually hurt one when he had the chance. He has killed chipmunks. squirells and rabbits, and I just don't think there is that big of a distinction in his mind.

Mine is half malamute - a chow or an akita has the same strong prey drive. My neighbors have even told me that while their cats are generally not too happy with dogs, they are really afraid of mine; I think he thinks of them as fancy indoor squirrels. So I never ever let him outside unleashed. Of course the dog does not understand that its a pet to us.

I'm so sorry this happened to your cat - I guess its just one of those sad things that animals do because they act on instinct. I hope she is not in pain.

[a la izquierda]

67. I have a vizsla. He hunts everything.

We've tried to teach him that this is not acceptable behavior, but he was a country stray and probably hunted to survive. Needless to say, he's never permitted off-leash or in a low-fenced yard.

[undeterred]

69. I don't think you can teach against instinct.

At least not with a great deal of success. I've been able to teach him that I will freak out if he does X, so he better not do it, but that only goes so far.

[a la izquierda]

70. Exactly. We'll never teach him per se...

But he's starting to figure if he is calm around deer, he gets yummy treats.

[Solly Mack]

39. I'm so sorry about your cat! You and your baby are in my thoughts!

[Still Blue in PDX]

41. I'm so sorry for you and both fur babies involved.

Dogs will be dogs. That's why they need humans to take care of them.

Prayers and healing thoughts for your kitty.

[moriah]

47. Update... she passed away this afternoon.

I saw her yesterday and today, and she wouldn't eat for me either time.... I used step 1 chicken, warmed up slightly in the microwave. She sniffed at it but didn't lick my fingers. She'd developed some infection, but the vet didn't want to give up yet... and neither did I really. At the same time, I didn't want her to hurt.

I had hoped if she had to go that I could be holding her when it happened, but maybe she wanted to spare me that pain.

[siligut]

49. So sorry moriah

You did what you could and she had a good life with you

[GoCubsGo]

50. Awwww! I am so sorry!

[Brigid]

51. Oh, no! Poor kitty!

[GreenPartyVoter]

52. I am so very sorry, honey. *hugs* You will be in my thoughts, and I will

hug my kitty babies extra tight tonight. :'(

[Hoyt]

53. Very sorry. You two were good for each other.

[agracie]

54. I am so sorry... In memory...

[TuxedoKat]

56. Oh, I'm so sorry

for the loss of your beloved kitty. I had been praying for a different outcome. (((HUGS)))

[arthritisR_US]

57. I am so sorry to hear this. My heart goes out

to you. My cats and my dog are my babies so I can't imagine the pain you are in.

Your compassion for the dog who attacked your cat is a testament to the beautiful person you are

[warrior1]

59. I'm so sorry moriah.

[stuntcat]

60. oh I am so sorry

This is so sad, I'm sorry She was lucky to have you loving her in her life, that's what matters.

[MissB]

61. I'm so sorry.

I've been thinking of you and your kitty all day.

[840high]

62. I am so very sorry.

[davsand]

63. I am very sorry.

No words I can offer seem to be enough.





Laura

[AngryOldDem]

65. So sorry.

Please find peace in knowing that you did all you could, and your sweet kitty knew that as well.

[magical thyme]

68. I am so sorry for your loss

I think sometimes they find it easier to leave when we aren't there, or they do want to make it easier for us...

[robertkdem1965_h89]

55. Oh God, that's just awful

Hopefully your cat will recover. And shame on that dog.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

58. oh dear....what a sad situation...

You have a lot of poise, i am impressed...I will be thinking of you and your sweet kittykat...hope she heals.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

64. So sorry,

It was an unfortunate and tragic story. But you did your best. Peace to kitty, and to you.

[Loryn]

71. So sorry.

I know there aren't any words. You did all you could, and she knew it.