When you have a cat as a pet, you don’t control what you would of a dog.
Cat’s have their minds, and sometimes that means dealing with the fact that your cat may poop on someone else’s lawn or a cat poop on your own.
But is this illegal? What are the ramifications?
Although this may be frustrating for the person owning the property, it is not illegal for a cat to poop on that lawn. There are no laws that make the cat owner legally obligated to the cat’s discretions.
There may not be any laws against it, but there are ways that the cat owner could be responsible for. This could be any damages to the lawn or property caused by the cop.
Some neighbors can even become creative in how they deal with the issues. Here’s everything you need to know when it comes to a cat pooping on someone else’s lawn.
Is It Illegal for a Cat to Poop on Someone’s Lawn?
No, it is not illegal for a cat to poop on someone’s lawn.
This is considered a civil matter, meaning that the civilians will deal with this issue instead of calling authorities to enforce rules and regulations.
In a Neighborhood?
There may be specific rules to abide by when it comes to living in a neighborhood.
You can check with your home owner’s association to see what the rules are if your pet defecates on someone else’s property.
It may be something as simple as you have to clean up after your pet.
Some neighborhoods may be stricter than others. Some neighborhoods may not allow your cat to be out without being on a leash, while others don’t regulate this.
In an Apartment Complex?
The apartment complex will have a specific rule within your leasing agreement for your pets.
You may have a max weight limit or several pets. Most apartment complexes dictate that your pet must be on a leash when outside, including your cat.
When you are walking your cat, you will need to clean up the poop. You could get fined by the apartment if they find you leaving the poop on the lawn or anywhere on the property.
When Is It Illegal?
There are no real situations where it is illegal for your cat to poop on someone else’s lawn or property.
As long as you clean up after your pet, you won’t have to face any ramifications for your cat pooping.
Now, if you decide to leave your cat’s poop on that lawn, then it could be illegal. This happens more often within city limits or in public spaces.
The act of pooping is not illegal but leaving the poop is. You could get fined for leaving any reminisce of their poop in the public area.
What Happens if my Cat Poops on Someone’s Lawn?
If your cat happens to poop on someone else’s lawn, there are many things you can do to help with the situation. Here are some things you can do:
- Clean the poop up.
- Speak with your neighbor.
- Try leash training.
Clean the Poop Up
If you are aware that your cat pooped on your neighbor’s lawn, it is best to clean it up. This is polite and is your responsibility.
It is your pet, and you should ensure that you do the right thing to clean it up. You would want someone to do the same if their pet pooped in your yard.
You can easily clean it up by purchasing plastic bags and using a poop scooper.
If you are trying to save money, use a store plastic bag that you receive when you go shopping. These can pile up, and it is a great way to recycle a used product.
Speak with Your Neighbor
If your cat pooped where you can’t access, like the back yard, speak to your neighbor. Let them know the situation and see what you two can do about it.
They may brush it off like no big deal, especially if it doesn’t happen often, or they may ask you to find ways to prevent your cat from doing this in the future.
Communicating with your neighbor not only shows you are responsible but will build a stronger foundation between you and your neighbor.
You can find a solution together.
Try Leash Training
Another way to control where your cat poops is to try leash training.
When your cat is on a leash, you decide where they can poop, and then you can clean it up with ease.
You don’t have to worry about your cat wandering into a backyard and leaving their little present.
It may be a little tricky in the beginning when training your cat, so be patient. Your cat won’t immediately enjoy being tied down, but it will be best for both of you in the long run.
You don’t have to deal with an angry neighbor, and you can feel at ease that your cat isn’t where it shouldn’t be.
What Happens if a Cat Poops on My Lawn?
Wherever you live, there is always the chance that a cat may poop in your lawn, just like the other way around.
So, what should you do when this happens to you? Here are some solutions:
- Communicate with your neighbor.
- Cat-proof your lawn.
- Sue your neighbor.
Communicate with Your Neighbor
You never want to jump straight to anger.
Communicate with your neighbor that their cat has pooped on their lawn. They may not even be aware of it happening, and now that they do, they can find a solution.
You can make suggestions as well, like leash training, or just ask that they clean up after their cat. If it continues, there are more extreme measures you can take.
Cat-Proof Your Lawn
If the problem persists, you can cat-proof your lawn to reduce the cat coming onto your property. There are many inexpensive ways to do this. You can do any of these methods:
- Install cat-proof fencing.
- Put up a containment barrier on top of your fence.
- Add a barrier at the bottom of your fence.
- You can try lemon or orange peels to deter cats.
- Spray your yard with a cat repellant.
Should You Sue Your Neighbor?
If the problem persists and you have tried communicating with your neighbor, you can always choose to sue the owner.
This should be the last resort if nothing else seems to work. Make sure you have already exhausted all your means to resolve the problem amicably before coming to this stage.
If the cat has been damaging your yard, you can sue for these damages. You can try to sue without a lawyer, but it may be best to contact someone to represent you.
They can take care of your case, and you will go before a judge to decide what the verdict will be.
What to Avoid When Dealing With Cat Poop in Your Yard
You have learned everything that you can do when a cat poops in your yard, but there are a few things you should avoid.
You don’t want to go overboard or harm the animal. This could end with you having to deal with ramifications instead of your neighbor.
These are the things to avoid:
- Hurting the cat.
- Throwing the poop in your neighbor’s yard.
- Don’t trap the cat.
- Calling the cops.
Hurting the Cat
Never hurt an animal just for it trying to do something natural.
Not only is this the wrong thing to do, and animals should never be harmed, but you could also have legal ramifications against you.
It is illegal to abuse any pets, no matter the reason behind it.
Throwing the Poop in Your Neighbor’s Yard
Although this may be tempting, you should never throw the cat’s poop in your neighbor’s yard.
This will only escalate the situation even more. Try all the steps when dealing with another person’s pet to resolve the issue in a friendly manner.
Don’t Trap the Cat
Do not trap the cat in your yard. There are many reasons for this. You may not know what the cat is capable of and how it will react to you.
You might also harm the cat in the process, and you don’t want that.
You also don’t know if the cat is up to date on its shots. If it scratches or harms you in any way, you could be at risk.
Calling the Cops
Refrain from calling the cops. An animal pooping in your yard is considered a civil matter and doesn’t need to involve the authorities.
They won’t be able to do much except involving animal control. This would only escalate things unnecessarily.
Conclusion
Having a cat poop in your yard or vice versa can be annoying. It is the owner’s responsibility to take care of the cat.
Without there being any legal consequences, you should be able to solve this issue through open communication and compassion from both parties.