Is it legal to kill cats/dogs that come on your property?
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Is it legal to kill cats/dogs that come on your property?
My parents want to leave me their house when they retire. However, they have a huge problem with neighborhood cats coming into the yard and pooping all over the place, eating all the fish in their little fishpond area and causing all sorts of other property damage. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a cat hater. I’ve owned 2 and I’m a destruction hater. I’ve looked online for this answer, but to no avail. Almost every response seems to be,
Asked on June 15, 2019 under Real Estate Law, Connecticut
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 4 years ago | Contributor
No, you cannot do any of those things. First, in regards to strays as well as animals owned by others, it would almost certainly violate animal cruelty laws: that is, you could br fined and even face jail time. Second, if you harmed, killed, removed (so that it ended up not returning), etc. someone's pet, expect to be sued by them, potentially for a great deal of money: your actions would at a minimum be the equivalent of vandalzing or destroying another's property, and could be construed as an intentional infliction of emotional harm on the owners.
Finally, not that it would be legal on the owner's parts, but it is likely enough to warn against: kill or injure or dispose of someoe's beloved pet, and you should not be surprised if you home, vehicle, etc. is vandalized.
Do not do this.
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