Is it legal for someone to shoot a cat?

[anonymous-user]

Serious question due to the following:

One of my tenants in a ground floor flat, rang me to complain about some of the other tenants keeping cats, and he wanted to know what my policies were on pets.
He said he didn't mind "'the odd one" but lots of people now had 'several' and they were fouling his garden area on a daily basis, and killing birds on his bird table, and climbing over his car.

I told him my rules were that i allowed pets as long as they did not cause a nuisance to other residents (a dog barking late at night for example).

He then informed me that the law classed dogs as domestic animals so were protected, but cats were classed as wild animals so could therefore be shot and killed. Something which he is considering doing with an air rifle or a catapult.

I advised him against this, but he said he was within his rights to shoot a cat if it was in his garden.

Can someone clarify this legal issue please, because if he carries out his shooting threat then I need to know if he has broken the law as it may require me to terminate his tenancy.

I must admit, I have had my fair share of issues from neighbours cats crapping in my garden and climbing all over my car, but I certainly don't approve of shooting one!

Thanks

[anonymous-user]

deevlash said:

unfortunately cats are protected and you cant shoot them, youd end up in serious bother if you got caught. You can shoot them with water pistols to deter them though. Or just leave some boxes around, get the cat into the box, seal it and drive the little fker 50 miles away. I hate cats, the owners are selfish lazy tts who want a pet but dont want one they actually have to bother looking after so buy a cat and let it rome free, killing wildlife and spoiling peoples gardens.

Edited by deevlash on Monday 2nd August 16:11

Erm, it's not me that's planning a murder but one of my tenants, as per my post.

But yes, I agree with you and personally think cats are a 'completely pointless pet'.

I really don't want a cat killing thread, I just wanted an answer to the legal issues, which I think I have got in a reply above.

Cheers.

Edited by NinjaPower on Monday 2nd August 16:21

[anonymous-user]

CraigW said:

np, for the sake of least hassle why not buy 3 cat repellant box things from homebase, will cost you/him however you play it, less than £50 in total, it should keep them away.

Good call... I think I will invest in a couple to keep the peace.