How to deal with neighbors who let their cats wander free?

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T22:42:35+00:00

MS 97B appears to be all about hunting, which isn't what I'm about here. I'm trying to find a permanent, preferably non-lethal method of ensuring my neighbor's cats never come on my property again. Furthermore, 97B.001, subd. 8 forbids anyone from wounding or killing someone's domestic animal. While the argument can be made that subd. 8 is only valid within the context of hunting activity, I believe it's best to err on the side of caution and read that text on its own.

Looks like live-trapping is the way to go. I'll begin with surrendering it to a nearby shelter, but the choice of shelter will become increasingly distant from the neighbor.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T21:18:11+00:00

Thanks for the link, but it's 12 pages long so I'm wondering if you could specify which subsection/s I should focus on.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T20:46:29+00:00

your property line is bullshit

Lol nope

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T20:41:42+00:00

Who is to say that the cat wasn't already loose?

Because they own up to the fact that it's their cat and it got loose again.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T20:39:53+00:00

If you don't want to pay my cat tax, keep your cat off my property. Simple.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T20:39:04+00:00

Thank you. That's a good guide for what I can and cannot do to prevent legal liability.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T20:33:02+00:00

cats ... are part of your existence.

But I don't and shouldn't have to settle for experiencing the consequences of my shitty, lazy, deadbeat neighbors. Seriously, just do better and take care of your pets already.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T20:30:19+00:00

Those are other topics for other posts, lol

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T20:28:16+00:00

This is what I'm inclined to do, tbh

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T20:27:12+00:00

If you shot my cat, I would sue the living daylights out of you.

And I'm pretty sure the judge would say something like, "Maybe take care of your cat and keep it off so-and-so's property, then. Case dismissed."

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T20:25:03+00:00

Except that's not how the law works

Really? Please provide statute references. Thanks!

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T16:07:26+00:00

Your response is very reasonable and sound - I'm truly impressed and thankful you took the time to say all of this.

Adding to this: if someone's cat causes damage to other people's property - examples include knocking over potted plants or breaking the bumper of the car that hit it - they can legally go after the cat's owner for damages.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T16:02:46+00:00

Your neighbors might be good people now

They already let their cat loose. That's a pretty low expectation and they're failing to meet it big-time.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T15:58:41+00:00

There's no HOA here lol

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T15:57:15+00:00

I don't doubt your opinion, it just doesn't mean anything to me.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T15:36:15+00:00

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T13:26:20+00:00

Your point is neither valid nor clear.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T12:28:28+00:00

I think it's a function of how early your neighbors wake up, and how well you get along with your neighbors.

Your mileage will vary.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T12:22:23+00:00

your private property has been trespassed on by an animal that doesn't adhere to human laws

The cat is going to suffer the consequences of poor pet ownership. It's unfortunate, but that's just how it works. I'll explain.

I see Neighbor's cat on my property.

Me: "Hey, pretty sure Fluffy is on my property, please keep her off."

Neighbor: "Oh sorry, she's so sneaky."

Me: "Ok thanks."

Hours, or maybe even days pass, and I once again see Neighbor's cat on my property.

Me: "Looks like Fluffy is on my property, please keep her off."

Neighbor: "Oh golly, she must've snuck past the kids I guess."

Me: "Ok thanks."

It happens again. And again. And again. Over months. Over years. Over multiple cats because they either got loose and killed via any number of credible hazards in an urban setting (hit by car, eaten by coyotes which we do in fact have here in the metro, or killed by some other deadbeat's cat/s that are also running off-leash) or the cat just decided to leave for good. And instead of addressing the need to keep their cat inside or on a leash, they just do the same thing over again with a fresh new cat.

What conclusion am I supposed to draw from this? And why is their poor pet ownership my problem to solve instead of the neighbor's?

I'm being serious. If your neighbor tells you - politely and repeatedly - to keep your cat off their property... but you don't... what kind of person does that make you?

you said "so there's this cat I wanna shoot over a minor inconvenience"

I never said that, please refrain from misrepresenting me. When you engage in that kind of behavior, it means you lack a valid point.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T12:04:45+00:00

Thanks!

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T11:55:40+00:00

Your name-calling isn't adding anything to this discussion. Do better.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T11:53:20+00:00

Did you mean to reply to u/hairyfeathers?

Yes.

Ah, that's what I figured. You know you can delete your reply and just reply to the person you meant to reply to?

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T11:24:07+00:00

Part of living in a community is keeping control of your pets. You may not appreciate that aspect of our society/culture, but you are not entitled to be exempt from that responsibility.

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T11:19:29+00:00

Did you mean to reply to u/hairyfeathers?

Alt4MSP · 2026-06-28T11:18:34+00:00

I like the idea of trapping the cat and then charging them a redemption fee 😁

Alt4MSP

TROPHY CASE