How to Humanely Deter Pets from Yard?

[JoeyGee]

Recently there has been a rash of neigborhood cats and dogs roaming the neighborhood freely (we know whose pets these are). I don't really have an issue with that, I have an issue with the "presents" they leave in our yard. We have a standard suburban type lot.

What is the best way to humanely keep them from my yard? I have read a lot of things, but not sure if they really work, or if it's possible. I do *NOT* want to hurt any animal, just keep them from crapping in my yard. That is one of the big reasons we don't have pets--we don't want to clean up after them.

We know the owners, and I don't think asking them to keep their pets locked up or chained to their house is going to go over too well .

[LCHIEN]

Same problem here. People should not let their cats (and dogs) roam freely.

Not only the litter problem but they also dig up the garden my wife works hard on and scare away the birds my wife assiduously tries to attract.
It's against the law as well.

I tried to reason with my neighbor but she said her cats deserves to roam and if we didn't want them in the yard we should shoot them with a toy water pistol she would loan us. I'd shoot them with something larger but that's not legal either. Is having to hear your wife complain everyday a legal defense?

[SteveO]

Here's a humorous way to deal with it. Pretty clever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbkLjjlMV8

Possible mildly NSFW language.

[Mr__Bill]

Here's a humorous way to deal with it. Pretty clever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbkLjjlMV8

Possible mildly NSFW language.

That was clever and funny.

As to keeping the animals away I understand that human urine works, just go out at night and apply some until you have the yard covered.


Bill
on the left coast

[cabinetman]

Use a cat deterrent.

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[Richard in Smithville]

Here's a humorous way to deal with it. Pretty clever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbkLjjlMV8

Possible mildly NSFW language.

Lee Valley carries one similar, already made-except for cameras.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/p...t=2,51555&ap=1

[dbhost]

Here's a humorous way to deal with it. Pretty clever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIbkLjjlMV8

Possible mildly NSFW language.

A former coworker of mine was building an auto tracking, auto fire paintball gun that worked in the same manner, just higher tech...

It would track the target and keep firing until the target went out of range.

Apparently when he "beta tested" the system, one of his neighbors cats went home soaked in paint, in through the kitty door, and spreading paint through the owners home... That did cause a rather loud argument among neighbors, but stopped the cat invasions...

[jackellis]

Our biggest problem is bears. Cats are coyote food so any that remain outdoors have a life expectancy of about one night. Dogs do their business in winter, but it's not that annoying.

The bears respect my territory, which I have been known to mark. Apparently so do dogs and cats.

[BobSch]

Collect their "presents" in a paper bag, deposit said bag on the offender's front step, light it, and run like mad.

[Sweet Willy]

I have a 113 lb. humane deterrent. He's not vicious but he does not tolerate any other critter coming on our property. From horses to kitties as long as they get off the property he stops chasing them. Works every time. BTW, he's the real Sweet Willy.

[cabinetman]

I have a 113 lb. humane deterrent. He's not vicious but he does not tolerate any other critter coming on our property. From horses to kitties as long as they get off the property he stops chasing them. Works every time. BTW, he's the real Sweet Willy.

I have two. But they aren't a humane deterrent when they make a catch.
.


.

[LCHIEN]

Use a cat deterrent.

.

sounds great. Can I give the bill for five or six of them @ $50 each to my neighbor???

[woodturner]

I don't really have an issue with that, I have an issue with the "presents" they leave in our yard.

Do you have local ordinances that restrict pets? In many or most towns and cities, there are ordinances that require:
1. Dogs and cats to be on a leash if outside the owner's fenced yard (probably the most common ordinance).
2. Owner's to pick up after their pets when walking them (also a very common ordinance)
3. Dogs to be muzzled when walked outside of the owner's property (less common).
4. All animals to be tagged and licensed (very common).

Looks like Sylvania Ohio has at least 1 and 2 - so a call to animal control should solve your problem.
http://www.cityofsylvania.com/NEWCMS...20COMPLETE.pdf

[cabinetman]

sounds great. Can I give the bill for five or six of them @ $50 each to my neighbor???

Sure...why not. If they work, the problem is solved. Anyone that knows about neighborhoods and pets would know that the code laws usually never work.

Call the animal control...that's funny. They can never be there when you need them, and I'm pretty sure they won't stake out the area and wait for them.

Leash laws are a good thing if they can be enforced, which means catching the animal, or knowing who their owner might be.

Stray animals might have tags, and are more than happy to wait for you to come over to check them.

It's possible that suspected animal owners could be forced to clean up the mess in the yard if there's proof whose poop it is. Urine is another story...very difficult to scoop that up.

Fences don't always work either. Any of my three cats can make it over most fences, and both of my German Shepherds can clear six foot ones (height limit for our area).

.

[LCHIEN]

Do you have local ordinances that restrict pets? In many or most towns and cities, there are ordinances that require:
1. Dogs and cats to be on a leash if outside the owner's fenced yard (probably the most common ordinance).
2. Owner's to pick up after their pets when walking them (also a very common ordinance)
3. Dogs to be muzzled when walked outside of the owner's property (less common).
4. All animals to be tagged and licensed (very common).

Looks like Sylvania Ohio has at least 1 and 2 - so a call to animal control should solve your problem.
http://www.cityofsylvania.com/NEWCMS...20COMPLETE.pdf

The county has such an ordnance. Requires the animals to be under control. Basically a leash or inescapable fence system. But, I have to physically catch the animal and then the county will come and pick it up. The owner then has some days (three?) to come and claim the animal and pay fines and boarding costs or the animal will be destroyed.

http://www.harriscountyhealth.com/vp...ND_IMPOUNDMENT

there's a lot of issues here in usability for me
One I have to go thru a lot of work to catch the culprits.
It'll probably only work once per animal since cats aren't that stupid. (yes they have multiple cats).
So I have to hope they won't start calling the pound after one or 2 days and the animal will be put to sleep.
Either way it'll certainly piss the neighbors off if they find out its me. Not good for neighbor relations.