Feral cat--liability

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Oh, good grief. My sister thinks I need to worry about this. Please tell me what you think.

There was a feral cat living in the storm sewer at the corner of our block. A neighbor was feeding it for 3-6 weeks (? not sure how long), talking to it, trying to gain its trust so she could tame it and get it a home.

The cat has been responding well, but it took up residence under a shrub in my front yard. I told the neighbor she could feed, water and visit with the cat in my front yard. The cat will now let her pet it. I heard her talking and visiting with the cat for more than half an hour today. I don't know how long she's been taking care of the cat in my yard now. It might have been as little as ten days; it might have been 3 weeks. I really didn't pay much attention.

My sister thinks that by giving permission to take care of the cat there, I have really opened myself to liability: Cat scratch, or bite? Stumbling on the brick edging in front of the shrub?

What do you think?

[disneysteve]

I agree. If something happens on your property, you are potentially liable. I would call Animal Control and have them remove the cat from the area.

[nmboone]

As much as I respect Steve's advice, I'm gonna have to disagree with him here. It's a cat, not a rottweiler, and I really just don't think it's that serious. It's simply feeding and petting a poor cat, rather than possibly getting it put to sleep.

[disneysteve]

nmboone, it isn't just the cat, as OP mentioned. If somebody trips on your sidewalk, you can expect to be sued. If it snows and someone slips on the ice in front of your house, you can expect to be sued. Many of those types of things are out of your control. Why go looking for trouble when this is one situation that can be controlled by removing the cat from the premises?

[shibabigk]

Why not ask the nighbor to no longe feed the cat on your property?
Look into what your county defines as ownership of an animal, if it includes feeding ect, don't let her do it. Cats are smart creatures, she'll find a bowel full of Friskies even if it is outside your property. Considering that this is a stray cat with no known medical history, a bite could be very serious. Obviously rabies is always a concern (rabid animals can be a-symptomatic for months) and cat bites almost always become infected (I am a vet tech and any cat bite, no matter how small it looks means a visit to the doc).
From a cat rescue perspective, if she really wants her, is to get a humane trap, get the cat to a vet , take her home and gt her off your property.
It might seem ridiculous to you and me to sue someone over stuff like this, but in a country where hot coffee law suits are sucessfull...

[PrincessPerky]

While in truth the lady could sue....So could the folks coming to my house tonight for games I am not banning them, nor the kids down the street, nor anyone else from my property.

I can't say what you should do, but, a little faith in humanity helps one sleep at night. Wont change anyone or anything, but worrying wont either.

Getting rid of the cat might make an enemy though.....