[Posh 08]

If I may ask a question. Would a cat be safe in a court yard? That is one reason we are really liking the CYVs.

[buggyone]

I would have to guess and say a cat would NOT be safe in the courtyard of the villa. I have owned cats who could jump very high and they will find their way out if given a chance.

If they did escape the courtyard, chances are you would never see them again. For all sakes, keep the kitties inside the house.

[John_W]

Originally Posted by Posh 08

If I may ask a question. Would a cat be safe in a court yard? That is one reason we are really liking the CYVs.

The problem with that is there is about a 4" gap under the gate to your backyard, I would think most cats could slip under that.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by John_W

The problem with that is there is about a 4" gap under the gate to your backyard, I would think most cats could slip under that.

Yep, noticed that when we were looking. Had a plan for that.

[quirky3]

Cats would love a screened in lanai - the best of both worlds. Interesting and safe. Eagles and hawks could easily snatch up a cat from an open back yard.

[graciegirl]

Our two cats love our lanai. Love it, love it, LOVE it. They believe with all of their furry hearts that the porch furniture was placed there just for their naps. and the geckos for their entertainment, and the birds to watch and to listen to....just for them. Both of them.

[swimdawg]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I would have to guess and say a cat would NOT be safe in the courtyard of the villa. I have owned cats who could jump very high and they will find their way out if given a chance.

If they did escape the courtyard, chances are you would never see them again. For all sakes, keep the kitties inside the house.

I was at a friend's home recently.....and as I sat there, I saw one of their kute katz jump from the floor.....to the counter....and THEN from the counter to the VERY high top of the cabinets. I couldn't believe my eyes! I bet this cat could easily jump over a fence in a villa......no problem!

Oh yes.......cats can jump!

[duffysmom]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

In Chicago??

Coyotes have been sighted in Central Park NYC. They are smart and cunning as well as skilled hunters;
they can survive in most enviornments eating vermin.

[joannej]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I would have to guess and say a cat would NOT be safe in the courtyard of the villa. I have owned cats who could jump very high and they will find their way out if given a chance.

If they did escape the courtyard, chances are you would never see them again. For all sakes, keep the kitties inside the house.

_________________
We bought a courtyard villa so that we could let our cat go outside at night. We leave the lanai door slightly ajar so he can let himself back into the lanai when he wants to. I feel that he is very safe and he has never attempted to "jump the wall". They're too high for him. :-)

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by buggyone

All of us agree putting a cat outside tethered up is the wrong thing to do. Dangerous dogs? No, they were just doing what is nature to a group of dogs.

Of course, the dogs should not have been running loose.

Enough neglicence on both sides here.

Keep the dogs inside and walk them on a leash. Keep your cats inside ALL THE TIME.

As for coyotes, they are not going to attack you. Chances are you will never see one but it will most likely be at dawn or dusk if you do. If your little dog or cat is tethered outside, that is an easy snack.

These dogs also growled at another neighbor - a two legged one. Sorry, but dogs do not "automatically" attack cats. Or, if you have proof that they do, please provide references.

Also, why would you say coyotes won't harm people, but will harm animals? What about children?

Why do so many on this forum have to blame someone? Why can't you feel sympathy for a pet lover who left her kitty in her yard with a villa wall in the rear and neighbors close by - nowhere near a main road?

PTurner leads by example....

[ladydoc]

Originally Posted by graciegirl;422***

Our two cats love our lanai. Love it, love it, LOVE it. They believe with all of their furry hearts that the porch furniture was placed there just for their naps. and the geckos for their entertainment, and the birds to watch and to listen to....just for them. Both of them.

Our big boy kitty loves the lanai and has little interest in going outside, thank goodness. He could clear the wall with no problem at all. I would not allow him to go outside because of the ease of getting over the wall. We have fixed the gap in the gate problem because we have a little dog as well. I am not so worried about him getting hurt by a dog, but more concerned that he would get lost or get hurt in the street. He has NO fear of dogs since he grew up around them and he tolerates our cattle dog grooming him...she thinks she is his mom....The average life span of a cat that goes out is 3-4 years and is 12 years and up for an indoor cat. I read this on a petfood website.

[quirky3]

Originally Posted by katezbox

These dogs also growled at another neighbor - a two legged one. Sorry, but dogs do not "automatically" attack cats. Or, if you have proof that they do, please provide references.

Also, why would you say coyotes won't harm people, but will harm animals? What about children?

Why do so many on this forum have to blame someone? Why can't you feel sympathy for a pet lover who left her kitty in her yard with a villa wall in the rear and neighbors close by - nowhere near a main road?

PTurner leads by example....

Although I think your questions are probably rhetorical, I think there is benefit in providing you with some good answers.

1. Dogs naturally attacking cats
http://www.wisegeek.com/why-do-dogs-chase-cats.htm

2. Coyotes afraid of people but not animals
http://www.lcfpd.org/docs/media_pub_25097.pdf

3. Responsibilities of a pet owner
http://www.paw-rescue.org/rpo_owner.html

Hope that helps with your understanding of the questions you asked.

[buggyone]

It is the nature of dogs in a group to go into an attack mode when they see potential prey - in this case, a cat who probably was trying to escape the harness and tether. Was this cat inside of the courtyard of a villa or was it outside the courtyard area? If it were inside and tethered with the gate being closed, dogs would not have been able to get inside - therefore, the cat was outside the courtyard area.

I have not seen any news article anywhere that had a coyote attacking a person. They will kill a little dog or cat for food just like they would do with a rabbit or squirrel. If a toddler or baby was outside by themself, it is possible a coyote might go after them, I guess.

Needless to say, I would not leave a baby or toddler outside by themself (or tethered outside) anywhere. Florida has too many things that could harm a child if the opportunity was there including fire ants, rattlesnakes, spiders, dogs running loose, pythons, child predators, etc.

Sure, I feel pity for a person who lost a pet - but they did not use common sense. It was a very hard lesson to learn but they will not do that again.

[Posh 08]

Originally Posted by buggyone

It is the nature of dogs in a group to go into an attack mode when they see potential prey - in this case, a cat who probably was trying to escape the harness and tether. Was this cat inside of the courtyard of a villa or was it outside the courtyard area? If it were inside and tethered with the gate being closed, dogs would not have been able to get inside - therefore, the cat was outside the courtyard area.

I have not seen any news article anywhere that had a coyote attacking a person. They will kill a little dog or cat for food just like they would do with a rabbit or squirrel. If a toddler or baby was outside by themself, it is possible a coyote might go after them, I guess.

Needless to say, I would not leave a baby or toddler outside by themself (or tethered outside) anywhere. Florida has too many things that could harm a child if the opportunity was there including fire ants, rattlesnakes, spiders, dogs running loose, pythons, child predators, etc.

Sure, I feel pity for a person who lost a pet - but they did not use common sense. It was a very hard lesson to learn but they will not do that again.

Add coral snakes to the list. My brother and SIL lost a Jack Russell to a coral snake. They live in Crystal River. The Standard Poodle polished off the snake.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by katezbox

These dogs also growled at another neighbor - a two legged one. Sorry, but dogs do not "automatically" attack cats. Or, if you have proof that they do, please provide references.

Also, why would you say coyotes won't harm people, but will harm animals? What about children?

Why do so many on this forum have to blame someone? Why can't you feel sympathy for a pet lover who left her kitty in her yard with a villa wall in the rear and neighbors close by - nowhere near a main road?

PTurner leads by example....

I reread what I wrote and I may have sounded insensitive Kate. I am so sorry for the family of the kitty who was killed and concerned that the dogs are still out there.

I know that your warning was meant to let us know to protect our little charges. Thank you so much.