Neighbor's dog killed our cat today
 

We have always let our cat run about outside during the day, we live in a rural area. Our new neighbor has a dog that they told me does not like other animals. I should have made her stay inside since they told me... Well, my son's poor kitty was killed this morning by this dog as we were getting in the car to go to school...unfortunately both my kids watched it happen. :( We didn't make it to school as they were very upset. I don't even know what to tell my son to make him feel better (he's 7), it was quite an awful scene.

Oh no! :confused: That's so awful -- especially for your children to see. I'm so sorry.

Oh, Jodi...I'm so sorry. Their dog should not have been allowed to roam free. Can the sheriff's department get involved...a report filed?

Your poor kids. How heartbreaking! :(

Did you let them bury it? My daughter had a cat that was killed by a big tom..well he was gone for 3 days and finally my husband said..somethings not right so we walked around the neighborhood again and couldnt find him so my husband went to the next doors yard..and he was laying right by the fence on the other side and Cheyanne saw it. We let her bury the cat and she went out everyday for 2 months and put fresh flowers on it and talked to him. She still talks about him but I think that really helped and the fact that we told her that hes in heaven right now playing and looking down on her. I hope this helps and Im sorry about their cat!! :( :(

Oh my gosh how awful. I am so sorry for your children and of course for kitty. Personally I think if the neighbors KNEW their dog didn't like other animals, it was/is their responsibility to keep HIM confined. I wish I could offer some advice for your children, but I honestly can't think of anything that would help :(

Thats awful! I would definetly call the sheriffs office or something. Just because the new neighbor warned you their dog didn't like other animals doesn't mean it should get away with killing them!

I hope your son handles it ok..kids are stronger then we think! I think the burial would help a little :) Hugs to you and your kids

http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/s...cle.cfm?id=112

http://groups.msn.com/InMemoryofTigg...dspetdies.msnw

here are some sites about explaining death to children. This will have to be one of life's lessons. I would tell them that they definately can't hate the dog for it. It is in some dog's nature, like huskies that haven't been socialized for instance. They have a very high prey drive and get excited when they see things moving, as if it was a rabbit. It is really the same concept of one of our little yorkies and a mouse. But it is the neighbor's responsibility to keep the dog in their yard, if the cat was the one in their yard that is another story. They should control their dog, yes.
When I was that age my neighbor's dog and another dog tore my cat apart right infront of my sisters and I. The cat was in our front yard and the 2 dogs didn't have leashes. I ran inside to get a towel and my mom ended up yelling at me for "destroying her good towels." I felt like it was an emergency and just grabbed one. We put her in a box and my dad drove us to the vet. I prayed harder than I had ever prayed for her to make it. But my parents had put her down that night and didn't tell us. They told us to just pray for her. I don't know why they did that. Honesty is the best policy.
I hope that this helps somehow and I'm sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry this happened to your poor kitty and children.I know how traumatic that can be for a child and I hope your son feels better soon. Getting him to express his feelings and time are the best healers.

Oh, Cheryl000, I am not LIKING your parents right now. :mad:

We have had two funerals. One for a hamster and one kitty, but none died a tragic death. I would be tramatized if I saw another animal kill one of my own.....sigh.

I'd say have a funeral if possible. Perhaps it will help

I would think so if their own cat was in their own yard, which it sounds like it was...if not it may be a different story. I would look into it and see. Did you contact your neighbors and let them know what their dog had done? I'm sorry, but if you have an animal that doesn't like other animals...why in the heck wouldn't you keep it up? They sound like they are not smart enough to own a pet in the first place! :mad: What a horrible thing for your kids. :(

I'm so sorry your kids had to see this. My daughter seen Gus when he got attacked and will still cry when the sub comes up. But thanks to her, we have Gus here today due to her fast reactions. Please give your son a big hug from us and we will say a little prayer for you all.

Our cat was in THEIR yard. She was out in their pasture chasing mice probably, and when she saw us getting in our car she came running to us and the dog grabbed her before she got to the fence. It is all my fault :(

Their dogs have got out before when they first moved in and I had a fit about it, they killed all our chickens. (They have 2 labs, as well as this pitbull) We talked to them and told them we have children and small dogs and that could just never happen again. We filed a report on them as well. They are actually very nice people and they paid my husband for the chickens and such. They installed electric fencing all around their property and fixed all the fencing. The dogs have never been out again. I am torn about what to do about this pitbull. He always attacks the fence at my dogs and this just proves to me that he really will attack other animals. I don't believe in punishing a dog for doing what's natural to them, but I really am scared from what I witnessed today. The dog tore our cat apart, what if Tinkerbell or Chloe ever get out? :(

We are going to go to Michael's today and buy one of those kits to make a memorial stone. I think that will help.

Thanks everyone.

Chloeandj~By chance, have you seen the thread about carrying guns? :cool:

I am confused by your post though...they installed fencing and the dogs haven't been out, but one killed your cat this AM? :confused: I think I must be missing something.

No, I'll check out that thread ;)

Our cat was in THEIR yard. She was out in their pasture chasing mice probably, and when she saw us getting in our car she came running to us and the dog grabbed her before she got to the fence. It is all my fault

things happen and you did not know she was in that yard until it was too late. Don't blame yourself for it. If I were you I would make some kind of run for the dogs while they are outside. Maybe a fence inside of a fence type. I can't blame you for being worried about the pitt.