Warning: Feral Cats Along Boulder Glen Trail

Got it. I've got nothing against outdoor cats as long as they have ID tags (we wouldn't want Ashcroft detaining them indefinitely as terrorists, after all []) and their shots are in order.

It's those unleashed pit bulls in unfenced yards (or common areas, for that matter) that I have a problem with!

 

I hear that! I have spoken with a neighbor regarding his unleashed pit bull.

 

Cats roaming freely is against the law in Va. Too many people let their cats out but they are not supposed to be loose.

 

I was very sad to have to stop feeding birds on my property, but I was luring them to their deaths. About 1 a week was being killed by roaming cats and their dead bodies left on the lawn for my children to find. It really is "the natural way to live," huh? I wish I could keep other people's animals - cats and dogs both - off my property.

 

I wish I could, too, but that is the nature of home ownership. If you own land, animals (both domesticated and wild) will "trespass" on it (I forgive them! I forgive them!). The birds could have just as easily been killed by bigger birds or other wild animals. I would rather learn to live with these normal issues of land ownership than to go back to living in a condo!

I think it is inexcusable for dog owners not to pick up after their dogs, though. That's just not right!

 

Oh well don't even start me on that! We don't own dogs, and it sure makes me mad to find someone's dog's poop in our yard. I guess that too is the nature of homeownership...

But I don't want to hijack the thread. The "feral" cat attack that happened sounds very odd - now when I jog that trail I imagine organized cats preparing to leap out and attack!

 

SK8R - Is this supposed to be joke? I called Loudoun County and there is NO law banning cats from being outside. There is NO leash law for cats in Loudoun county. A county can't have a law overriding a state law, so there is no way this is true.

 

It was not meant to be a joke, so sorry if you thought it was.

Pets are not allowed to "roam free" in Va. A cat is a pet
I know this, because the laws regarding pets: dogs, cats ferrets, snakes, etc in Va are hanging at the vets office in Leesburg.

 

Just because a cat is a 'pet' does not mean that they should be imprisoned in a static environment that, despite popular belief, is NOT their native habitat. And, just because owners have an environment where their pets can have some sort of freedom does not mean that they 'roam free'. Cats can be outside without leashes and still be cared for in an attentive way so that they are not 'roaming free'. Just giving cats food, water, shelter, and a window may keep cats safe, but they won't be truly happy as it is basically a posh prison. Cats did not evolve in a house.
Loudoun County should trump anything the Vet puts up on the wall.

 

I don't know, Pats Fan. I'm not sure it's the nature of home ownership to have to put up with other people's pets (or anything else) coming onto your property. I thought the nature of home ownership was your right to exclude others from doing anything at all on your property. Can't really blame the mangy little things themselves, but I'm a little surprised to hear that people actually think it's okay to let their "outdoor" pets roam free. I'd have to agree that that's pretty inconsiderate.

 

Well, maybe when someone finds the same cats on their property, ruining the bushes and gardens and urinating on the furniture, and harrassing their indoor pets, (being free to roam, as you put it) they will catch them and put them in a carrier and drive them out to Maryland and set them free.
That might be the nicest thing someone will do to and for your pet.
I have never taken this approach (and I doubt I could do something this rash) but I know a few people who are doing this... They are sick of cats having "that sort of freedom" on their property day after day.... killing birds and leaving dead animals in the yard and all of the above mentioned activity as well!
Just thought you might like to know...

 

Cats eat birds and mice. What's more natural than that? Although my cat has only bagged one or two birds in his life. He does a great job of keeping the field mouse population down. That's more mice not coming into your home.

 

I think you need to visit the BRMC when it is built.

 

So whatcha gonna do about the bunnyrabbits sitting on your lawn? Or the birds pooping on your deck? Oh and the deer eating your flowers.

Put them all in animal prison or kill them? Dat's the ticket.

M.

 

Pats - I think I have to agree with Brooks on this one. We had a cat that would visit our former townhome which the backyard was fenced in. WE often had the same cat visit our backyard at 0'dark hours and one of our cats would howl like mad. Not nice being awoken at 0300 to try and calm down a cat.

Then our son was born. We were awake anyhow!

 

You don't live out on a farm, in the boonies, way out in no where... you live in a neighborhood with other people, up close and personal-like. We have to respect eachother and eachother's stuff right? ....right? ....or not?
Well, if you don't give a hoot about your pet doing things on other's property, why should "others" care about your pet? All I am saying is I know a few people that have done this.
The deer, wild rabbits and birds we can deal with. Your annoying cat? I don't think so. There is a limit.
I have never gone to this extreme, however in a former neighborhood my neighbors cat was climbing my window screens to say hello to my indoor kitties that I had at that time. Those screens were ruined, all of the entire downstairs window screens! I spoke to the neighbor, they gave me some sob story of a reply as you are giving.

 

I bet you think that cats evolved in a house, right? You don't know anything about anyone else's cat. My cat doesn't leave the yard. If he does get into trouble he hi tails it into the house. You are either making stuff up or are blowing things way out of proportion. You're leaving in a few years please can you do it quicker?

 

Well Homer, if your cat is not guilty of any of these crimes and you observe your cat at all times when it is outside, and it never leaves your property then my former comment is not for you
Sorry, it will have to be a few more years, have to let the kids finish school...

 

You are assuming an awful lot SK8R. You don't know me, you don't know where I live and you certainly know NOTHING about my cat. I am sorry you have had bad experiences before, but that has nothing to do with me or ANY cat I have ever known. I grew up with cats all my life and never once have ever been harassed by one as you have. Some things are isolated incidents and I don't have anything to do with the irresponsibility of your neighbor. My cat doesn't go anywhere but the bushes and the trees and certainly doesn't go to anyone's house. He is quite the scaredy cat and I keep a VERY close eye on him. Its really quite sick for you to even threaten all the cats in this so called community. If you have a problem with one trouble maker, take it up with the trouble makers guardian instead of commiting some sick act. Maybe you need some therapy.

T8- I have nothing against dogs, but to add a comment to your post- I hear dogs barking everyday throughout the day. I hear a cat maybe 1/month. You can hear dogs barking while they are on their property, being walked and just about everywhere.

 

My cat is a good boy. Have a couple of margarita's - I am!