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okanagan555 · Jun 8, 2011, 10:27 AM

I recently found out that next door neighbours poisoned my cat with antifreeze. The cat and us suffered horribly and it cost us a huge vet bill with the cat dying anyway.

Do I have any recourse?

Fr_Chuck · Jun 8, 2011, 04:43 PM

Assuming you have actual proof, not gossip or opinion, you call the police, and file a complaint, you then also sue for damages in court.

shazamataz · Jun 8, 2011, 11:49 PM

Was the antifreeze on their property or did they put it on yours?

This isn't going to go down well, but this is exactly why cats shouldn't be allowed to roam freely, because yes it does annoy people like me who are sick of neighbors cats getting in their yard.

I'm sorry this happened to yours, I don't wish death on any animal but there is something to be learned from this.

JudyKayTee · Jun 9, 2011, 10:04 AM

Where? In NY (were I am, where I investigate liability matters) an animals is the same as a piece of furniture - and you cannot collect pain and suffering (yours or theirs).

If you can prove where and how this happened and if the neighbors did so deliberately ON YOUR PROPERTY you can sue them for the Vet bills.

I'm not saying any of this is correct or fair - I'm just saying it's the law.

paleophlatus · Jun 9, 2011, 01:03 PM

A cat allowed free access to the neighborhood can get into anyone's garage or driveway and have contact with antifreeze. A hot car, especially older ones, will often 'burp' noticeable amounts of radiator fluid when they are shut off, until they cool a bit. Antifreeze is attractive to pets because of it's taste, and once found, pets will usually lick the spot of the overflow clean, and find similar spots in other neighbor's drives.

This may be what you are countered with... can you refute it? Have you talked with your vet about your plan? He will likely be asked to testify, and may not be able to fully support your claim. As JudyKayT said, you need hard evidence to back up your claim, and I am just presenting a possible counter to your it.

okanagan555 · Jun 9, 2011, 05:42 PM

Hi, everybody, thank you for all the feedback. In the meantime, I have confronted the neighbours and they didn't deny it. There are lots of other cats in this neighbourhood and they all roam pretty freely. Can I warn my other neighbours, I don't want anyone else to go through this.

By the way, these people have a brand new vehicle so there was no leaks, also they are completely anal about keeping everything clean, so I really don't think it was an accident.

JudyKayTee · Jun 9, 2011, 05:43 PM

You said, "I know you poisoned my cat" and the neighbors said nothing? Yikes!

I don't know that I'd point a finger but, yes, I would tell my neighbors that "someone" poisoned your cat. Did it roam or did this happen in your yard?

excon · Jun 9, 2011, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by okanagan555

I have confronted the neighbours and they didn't deny it.

....these people have a brand new vehicle so there was no leaks,

Hello o:

It would leak after I was done with it.

excon

paleophlatus · Jun 9, 2011, 05:58 PM

Not all antifreeze has to contaminate our environment 'accidentally'. It is also a possibility that some 'freaks' are driving around town throwing out 'treats' soaked in antifreeze, indiscriminately. It is well known that antifreeze is an effective animal poison... much more so than strychnine or rat poison (Decon).

I mention this so that you may now warn your neighbors, at least the cat owning ones, to be on the lookout for any strange objects in the yard or street that may have been tossed there.

Also, be aware that a roaming cat can cover many blocks in it's normal nighttime route, so you may not be alone in your loss. Ask around about other victims. Newspapers love this sort of story if you find others willing to come forth.

hheath541 · Jun 9, 2011, 06:28 PM

Is there a lawyer in your area you can talk to? I have no idea what area of law this would fall under, but calling around to area lawyers and asking if they would be willing to talk to you for a consultation can't hurt.

Also, be aware that just because they didn't deny poisoning your cat, doesn't mean they admitted it. By not denying, they have basically said nothing, and you can't use it as an admittance of fault. Also, they will almost definitely deny it if you do take this to court. There's a good chance that a ruling would be in their favor (due to lack of evidence or laws in your favor) and you would end up with court costs on top of the vet costs you already had.

As paleophlatus said, you should think about asking around for others that have suffered the same problem. If you're able to find several people who can reliably claim the same problem (and aren't just out to place blame or get money and/or attention) then you can see about taking the story to a local paper or news station. You should also warn your neighbors to keep a closer eye on their pets.