Should I tell my neighbors (an older couple in their 60's) my dog killed their cat?

[Anonymous]

It happened when they were out on errands. I thought she was well behaved with animals and didn't put her under a leash for several minutes. We passed by their yard (usual routine before doing exercises), she saw the cat and killed it.

My dog is a mix between a bull terrier and German Shepherd. That's the first time she ever killed a cat, that I know of. I've taken care of the mess but they don't know it. Should I tell them what happened?

Updates

+1 y

Or should I just let this slide? I'm going to take care of the issue and take her to training. I just don't want this to cause a huge commotion.

[spartan55]

Wtf? Why wouldn't you tell them? You are one of those pet owners that people hate. Why would you ever let ANY dog off leash, much less an aggressive breed? You are being very dismissive and cavalier about your mutt killing someone else's pet...(more like stupid) Sounds like you think a couple obedience classes and Demon Rover will be good for go.
You're lucky, many people would shoot you dog dead. Personally, I would have blown that dogs head off.

[Asker]

It's not a pitbull though. It's a bull terrier and German Shepherd mix (it has the colors of the German Shepherd but the form and shape of the bull terrier). They are really good with people. I've had her since she was a puppy. She's been socialized with people of all ages (even infants and toddlers) and animals.
she's always on her leash. This is the first and only single time I didn't have her on the leash for a brief moment. I didn't because I fully trusted her. I didn't think she would kill the cat. She's been introduced to that cat and others in the past too. When it happened, it really shocked me. I don't know what went wrong. She's never ever done anything like this before.

[spartan55]

Thing is both of those are aggressive breeds. By aggressive breeds I'm using the metric of how many people the breed bites per year, both are in the top ten. I know we aren't talking about people since it attacked a cat. Hopefully you came to your senses and told them.

[Stillsleeping]

Just tell them. It's better to be honest. They'll be upset but they should know what happened to their pet. You may be able to keep it from them, but it'll be worse if they find out. I had a dog when I was a kid that hated other animals. It chased cats and birds and raccoons and skunks and porcupines ( he paid for that one). . you name it. But with people and children, he was perfectly behaved. Loved people. Just hated animals. I wouldn't have a dog put down if it killed one of my cats and I have two cats. Animals are what they are. . animals. They're unpredictable. I'll be honest with you. . I would be upset with you as a neighbor for not keeping that dog leashed the entire time, but I wouldn't demand the dog be euthanized. I would let it go. Hopefully your neighbors will do the same if you tell them. Good luck.

[jennifer_bloom]

You have an obligation to tell them, if they try to jail you, bribe them by giving them more money then the laws demand and tell them it was an honest mistake and you can buy them a more expensive cat along with free pet food for 4 months.

[Asker]

I just hope my dog doesn't get put down for this though. I've raised her since she was a puppy and she was under controlled till this recent event.

[CrimsonAngel09]

Give the dog to someone who is much more responsible, and can train the dog.

After you apologize.

[Staximus]

Be responsible and tell them, you should have kept your dumb dog on a leash. Take care of the issue and take her to training? It's too late for that if the dog is an adult, and most of the time it's too late if the dog already got the taste of blood. Listen now and listen good, don't ever let that dog go near small children or you will find yourself in jail for years, get sued, and your dog will literally be executed by the animal control or shot by police.

[Staximus]

The dog is out of your control now, you have no business owning that kind of animal. You best let animal control take that dog and put it down, or take it or behind the barn and shoot it before it attacks a child and you're fucked for life.

[Asker]

Omg so it's that really bad if she killed a cat? I tried my best to raise her with care and love. I always had her near people of all ages (even babies) and animals. She never gave me any issues till this recent incident. I'm shocked to be honest. I have no idea why nor what caused that sudden reaction in her?

[Staximus]

You obviously don't know anything about dags. You can't just think "oh the dogs not going to do that". It's not you, it's a dog. At the very least the dog will try to kill cats all the time, maybe work it's way up to small digs and kids. Just give the dog to somebody with a coyote problem or never let it around small animals and kids.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

If the roll was reversed & one of your neighbors pets killed yours would you want someone to tell you? On the flip side honestly is best policy however don’t be surprised if animal control shows up at your door to put your dog down.

[Asker]

Well yes I would want to know but I wouldn't go overboard with the ''kill the dog''. I would try to understand that its prey instinct took over.

[spartan55]

Prey instinct + irresponsible owner = dangerous dog

[abc3643]

I am not sure on this one.

Let me ask:
Do they KNOW the cat has even died or do they think it is just missing?

This is very important.

Also, what kind of people are your neighbors? Are they litigious?

[abc3643]

I want to be clear about something because this is very important:
Training may not be able to remove this killer instinct because it is a predatory instinct.
YOU CANNOT TAKE THAT DOG OFF-LEASH IN PUBLIC.

I know what I am talking about because we have to deal with this issue too.

[Asker]

They think their pet is just missing. They have no idea what happened. They are sensitive people that sometimes tend to overreact.

[abc3643]

OK... *sigh* I hate saying this, but keep your mouth shut (*).
The cat is gone and nothing is going to change that for them.
The ambiguous ending from their perspective is better than being angry with your dog in which case they might contact authorities to have the dog put down. Thus, shut up.

HOWEVER, like I said, YOU CAN NOT LET THAT DOG OFF A LEASH UNLESS IT IS ON YOUR FENCED-IN PROPERTY. Consider getting an electric shock collar as a backup when out in public and make sure it is charged.

If that dog attacks and kills again (**), it is dead. Pure and simple. Remember that. The leash on your dog in public is what is saving your dog's life. You need to think like that from now on.

(*) This assumes there are no witnesses to the crime other than you.

(**) That dog killed out of predation, not anger. A predation kill is a natural instinctive kill. "Kill the cat; eat it." So, ANYTHING that your dog is going to view as prey will be a potential target. And what's prey? Anything smaller and mammalian and that can include a human baby or toddler.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you should tell them and I hope they sue your ass off.

[Asker]

I didn't mean for that to happen. I really thought she was well behaved. I completely trusted her.

[spartan55]

@asker
'you didn't mean for that to happen'... but you let your dog run loose... wow... Are you doing thinking at all before you type?

[exitseven]

yes, it would give them closure.

[Brady]

tell them