What should I have done? -> Updated

[Naio]

A pitbull got my cat this morning. Cat is in the hospital and dog owner gave them his credit card. I finally have a minute to breathe, and am trying to think what I could have done differently, for next time.

I was in bed at the time, and groggy when I got up. I couldn't figure out how to get the dog off my cat. And the cat kept getting away, and then getting caught again. I didn't have a firearm. I threw rocks at the dog, thinking the distraction would help cat get away. That works with cat on cat. I forgot that I had pepper spray in the rig. That may have helped although it doesn't shoot far and the animals were in brush, not visible.

Dog owners, cat owners, what is the way to go in this situation?

After about 15 mins of searching I found the dogs owner and got her to get him off. Then I dragged her dad and his credit card to the ER with me.

But is there any way I could have got that dog off my cat sooner? I am not as strong as a pit bull, nowhere near.

Maybe I should have sprayed them with a fire extinguisher, or a hose. That might have taken as long as finding the owner, though, to get stuff to where the animals were.

I feel like I failed my cat.

[RVcircus]

We keep our cats indoors with the occasional trip to the fenced garden and the dog is leashed or fenced. We have people that let their dogs and cats roam the neighborhood and I've had to chase off aggressive dogs in our yard. With kids that play outside it's always a concern for us. Sadly if that was my cat I would have killed the dog.

[Dog_Folks]

I am sorry about your pet. A sudden loss or attack always hurts even more.

That said: Everyone, please be aware, with the exploding coyote population, country wide. The coyotes are feeding frequently on small animals/pets running loose, or if stressed even attacking small dogs on a leash.

I have personally witnessed two different feral cat colonies "disappear" due to predation by coyotes, and investigated one, "on leash" attack.

Please learn about these animals and learn how to protect yourself.

[dspencer]

By all means I hope your precious kitty survives this. Let's hope this dog wasn't running loose and out of control, heaven forbid this could happen to a child or adult for that matter.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I hope your cat recovers - and then, with all your love for it in your heart, you need to build a "Kitty Kennel". Cat can be outdoors, but still confined, and nothing can get to it. Realistically, if it wasn't your neighbor's dog - it would be something else, like a coyote or even a large bird of prey. Or the ultimate cat killer: a car.

I'm really not sure there was ANYTHING you could have done to stop the attack, outside of shooting the dog (and facing huge consequences for THAT). Many breeds are notorious for being able to ignore pain and distractions while doing their job; and a pitbull would certainly be one of those.

[nabi]

Hope your little kitty is doing OK..

[4X4Dodger]

Naio wrote:
A pitbull got my cat this morning. Cat is in the hospital and dog owner gave them his credit card. I finally have a minute to breathe, and am trying to think what I could have done differently, for next time.

I was in bed at the time, and groggy when I got up. I couldn't figure out how to get the dog off my cat. And the cat kept getting away, and then getting caught again. I didn't have a firearm. I threw rocks at the dog, thinking the distraction would help cat get away. That works with cat on cat. I forgot that I had pepper spray in the rig. That may have helped although it doesn't shoot far and the animals were in brush, not visible.

Dog owners, cat owners, what is the way to go in this situation?

After about 15 mins of searching I found the dogs owner and got her to get him off. Then I dragged her dad and his credit card to the ER with me.

But is there any way I could have got that dog off my cat sooner? I am not as strong as a pit bull, nowhere near.

Maybe I should have sprayed them with a fire extinguisher, or a hose. That might have taken as long as finding the owner, though, to get stuff to where the animals were.

I feel like I failed my cat.

If the Cat was in the dogs yard and the dog was protecting it's territory, I dont think there is much to be done. This is nature at work.

However if the dog was running loose then you need to call animal control and report this.

There is just too much info missing from your story to make a thoughtful response.

[coolmom42]

GypsySeniors wrote:
The answer is.... DON'T LET THE CAT RUN LOOSE!!!!! I am so sorry about your cat and I am sure you love him dearly...love him more by keeping him inside....or you can buy an enclosure for cats that you can use outside to protect him...but always supervise....the world is a very dangerous place for outside cats...I remember as a child in the 50's losing many a beloved cat because they were outside cats...I remember every tear shed...I have been fortunate to have had 5 cats these last 45 years...all indoors and they have lived long safe lives...14yrs....17yrs...19yrs...21 yrs...and at present my Lily who is 7yrs. I don't mean to be preachy but I am adamant about this issue....thoughts and prayers for your fur baby recovery!!!

Yep.

This is the only sensible answer, regardless of your neighborhood culture. Obviously it ISN'T safe for cats outside.

There are some dogs who are generally aggressive towards smaller animals, and some that are just aggressive towards cats. Every animal rescue has dogs listed who are otherwise fine, but listed as only being able to go to "cat-free" households.

[Happytraveler]

The dog should have been contained in the first place and I'm not a cat lover. No way that dog should be out roaming the streets.

[GypsySeniors]

The answer is.... DON'T LET THE CAT RUN LOOSE!!!!! I am so sorry about your cat and I am sure you love him dearly...love him more by keeping him inside....or you can buy an enclosure for cats that you can use outside to protect him...but always supervise....the world is a very dangerous place for outside cats...I remember as a child in the 50's losing many a beloved cat because they were outside cats...I remember every tear shed...I have been fortunate to have had 5 cats these last 45 years...all indoors and they have lived long safe lives...14yrs....17yrs...19yrs...21 yrs...and at present my Lily who is 7yrs. I don't mean to be preachy but I am adamant about this issue....thoughts and prayers for your fur baby recovery!!!

[cbshoestring]

Naio wrote:

cbshoestring wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Cats should adhere to the same leash laws as dogs have to.

I agree. I got tired of my neighbors cat using my flower beds as a liter box, so I caught him in a cage. Let the neighbors know that next time I train my dog to poop on their porch. Funny thing is...my dog has been trained to stay in my yard---try that with a cat.

Still....the OP had their little buddie mauled. Have a bit of compassion.

As a gardener who has cats, may I recommend wood lattice for large areas, and wire grills or scraps of fencing for small areas? Lay them on the soil between plants, or support them in a horizontal position above the soil and starts. Cats avoid anything they think they might get a paw stuck in. (They won't, but they THINK they will.)

Cats don't usually 'train' like dogs, but they are pretty easily annoyed. Make your garden a bit more annoying :).

Vet says he may keep cat through the day tomorrow, as cat is ok but not quite as good as expected. Told me to call back before bed.

As a home owner who does not own any cats, I do NOT feel I need to "protect" my garden from intruders by laying chain link fence on the ground to keep my mulch from smelling like a liter box.

I prefer to trap the trespasser, then relocate them to a neighboring state.

[toedtoes]

Naio wrote:
She did say that the dog turning on me would be unlikely, although it sometimes happens.

It's not a matter of "turning on you", it's a matter of the dog being an animal. It will very likely bite you: 1) because you are a barrier to the cat; 2) because it is biting and your body part is in the way; 3) it sees you as a threat; 4) you've scared it; and/or 5) it's going on instinct and not thinking clearly.

As for grabbing the hind legs and swinging the dog around, try grabbing a 60+ lb sack of flour and swinging it around and see how effective that is.

[Naio]

I messaged a friend who does dog rescue, mostly pit bulls, and is a vet tech. Asked her what I could have done.

She responded with stuff like beat dog over head with baseball bat or pick him up by rear legs and swing him around to make him let go of cat. And she loves dogs! So I guess I am going to feel less bad about not succeeding sooner. It sounds like those dogs do not let go.

She did say that the dog turning on me would be unlikely, although it sometimes happens.

[Naio]

cbshoestring wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Cats should adhere to the same leash laws as dogs have to.

I agree. I got tired of my neighbors cat using my flower beds as a liter box, so I caught him in a cage. Let the neighbors know that next time I train my dog to poop on their porch. Funny thing is...my dog has been trained to stay in my yard---try that with a cat.

Still....the OP had their little buddie mauled. Have a bit of compassion.

As a gardener who has cats, may I recommend wood lattice for large areas, and wire grills or scraps of fencing for small areas? Lay them on the soil between plants, or support them in a horizontal position above the soil and starts. Cats avoid anything they think they might get a paw stuck in. (They won't, but they THINK they will.)

Cats don't usually 'train' like dogs, but they are pretty easily annoyed. Make your garden a bit more annoying :).

Vet says he may keep cat through the day tomorrow, as cat is ok but not quite as good as expected. Told me to call back before bed.

[cbshoestring]

donn0128 wrote:
Cats should adhere to the same leash laws as dogs have to.

I agree. I got tired of my neighbors cat using my flower beds as a liter box, so I caught him in a cage. Let the neighbors know that next time I train my dog to poop on their porch. Funny thing is...my dog has been trained to stay in my yard---try that with a cat.

Still....the OP had their little buddie mauled. Have a bit of compassion.

[gbopp]

Sorry it happened. As you now know, don't let your cat run free.
Destroying or seriously injuring the dog was probably the only option that would have stopped his actions immediately.
I wasn't there so I don't know the circumstances.
I don't like to see any animal hurt for any reason.
Please keep us updated on your cat.