Our Cat attacked my son

[RICLARK]

cat attacks kid = no more cat

definitely check it out and see what's wrong with it if you're going to give it away...i suppose it's the right thing to do.

i personally would put a bullet in ANY animal that attacked a child of mine, no matter how much it meant to me.

I had to do that a while ago with a dog I had that bit my neice, I really dont want to do it again. If I need to get rid of it I will and if it something medical and expensive ill get her put down.

 

[BrewWench]

If I need to get rid of it I will and if it something medical and expensive ill get her put down.

Wow... I really hope you don't get any more pets.

 

[EdWort]

That cat would be history by now in my house. Off to the animal shelter for adoption if they deemed it adoptable.

 

[Mustangfreak]

I'm voting for the cat trying to play. My cat is almost a year old and he loves to play rough.

Sorry to hear though.

 

[RICLARK]

Wow... I really hope you don't get any more pets.

Sorry to offend you but I dont have thousands of dollars laying around to treat the damn cat if need be.

 

[McKBrew]

I personally like cats, but the SWMBO doesn't so no kitty here. I definately agree that the pet should be looked at, but if it turns out that nothing is wrong maybe kitty deserves a second chance. Your call though. Kids before kitty anyday of the week.

 

[EdWort]

Sorry to offend you but I dont have thousands of dollars laying around to treat the damn cat if need be.

I commend you for giving it a second chance. I hope it does not cost you a lot or that the cat has some transmittable illness.

 

[BrewWench]

Well, then don't get a pet. That's all I'm saying - they're not disposable. Problem solved.

 

[mr x]

Cats can become very agitated by other cats, and can then act unpredictably around people. A few years ago a read a report of a woman who was lying in bed trying to get to sleep when her cat violently attacked her face and put her in the hospital. The cat had been prowling back and forth at the bedroom window at another cat outside, making low growling sounds and such, basically in heat. This was the cause of the crazy behavior.

 

[Beerthoven]

Sorry to offend you but I dont have thousands of dollars laying around to treat the damn cat if need be.

I can appreciate this. I've had several cats in my life and I spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on a few of them. In the end that money did nothing to improve the quality of life of the animal. I take good care of my animals, but I draw the line when my vet wants to prescribe an $800 series of tests that might diagnose a condition for which there might be a marginally effective treatment.

 

[RICLARK]

I can appreciate this. I've had several cats in my life and I spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars on a few of them. In the end that money did nothing to improve the quality of life of the animal. I take good care of my animals, but I draw the line when my vet wants to prescribe an $800 series of tests that might diagnose a condition for which there might be a marginally effective treatment.

I have no problem spending money on my animals, however your right its the 500 dollars for this test that test and another test, then they give you a 50 dollar precription and the animal dies a week later. Having an animal does not mean you have to work three jobs to keep a certain "animal health Account" open at the bank.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Wow... I really hope you don't get any more pets.

I told SWMBO that I will donate $500 to a homeless shelter before I spent it on an animal.

Anyone who believes that animals should be entitled to anything beyond basic healthcare has messed up priorities. No animal is worth more than a human life and if there are people without even basic healthcare, I don't see how anyone of good conscience can even suggest that an animal should be given anything better.

Sadly, we live in a world with sadness and suffering and we cannot eliminate it all. We owe a duty to our pets to treat them humanely, give them comfort, and provide for them in the manner they deserve for the enjoyment and happiness that they provide us in return.

However, we must accept that this is really a selfish and ego-centric indulgence. We are spending our money on an animal when the same money could be spent on humans who need our help at least as much. A cat is much more able to fend for himself than a mentally-ill senior citizen. However, we like our cat/dog/chinchilla/rat/whatever, so we take it under our care and treat it as part of the family. That's fine. It's an indulgence, it makes us feel happy, and brings us pleasure and sometimes other benefits as well.

But when that animal becomes a burden to us, when it is no longer easily within our means to care for it, I think you have to ask, where would the money do the most good? I'll tell you that I, for one, will put a dog down before I spend $500 on doggy tests. I'll donate the $500 to a homeless shelter or human charity instead and I defy anyone to tell me that my priorities are the ones that are screwed up. I defy anyone to tell me I'm a bad pet owner for not thinking my pet's life is more important than another human's.

And yet, when my pets are with me, I cherish them, treat them kindly, and hope they can stay with me forever. Maybe I'm just not weak enough as a person to cave in to the easy decision of spending money to "save" them. Maybe the people who think we owe our pets expensive medical treatment are just not strong enough to admit that death is a natural part of life. If you understand that death is a part of life, it is easier to let a creature go- even if they appear healthy/active in other respects. I, for one, do not see why we must fix this animal's ailment just because we can- we did not cause it, we did not ask for the animal to get sick. So why must we feel obliged to remedy this animal's situation? Is it not enough that we show compassion, caring, and responsibility? Must we have a 4-figure bank account just to own a goldfish? A 5-figure bank account to own a guinea pig? A 6-figure account to own a dog? Who would dare call someone a bad owner simply because they refused to pay for tests that are beyond the care that many humans would receive?

Maybe the people who treat their pets better than their own friends, and better than other humans, are the ones who should reexamine their priorities and their relationships with their pets as well as their relationship with the world around them. My pets receive basic care, free food and water, companionship, and a safe warm place to sleep. I have limited means and I will happily share those limited means with my beloved pets if it will keep them alive. But if the animal wants expensive tests done that are beyond my means, then they can pay for it themselves.


[/rant]

 

[BrewWench]

That's right, because I specifically remember saying that animals are more important than people.

First, I think it's more likely that this is a behavioral issue with the cat than a physical problem. Cats get bored, they are kind of nutty, and kicking at something with hindlegs is definitely play behavior - that's what our cats do to one another all the time, in play. To declaw a cat, or to give it up when it's simply behaving inappropriately is laziness, because there are plenty of ways to teach any animal NOT to scratch a kid, etc., if you care enough to be a good pet owner.

And if you would rather get rid of your animal without even trying to teach it because now you have a kid and don't want to bother with a pet, then you shouldn't have a pet and a kid at the same time. Like BobM said, there really is no good pet to have with a kid, and I agree.

I think the talking about 6 figure medical bills is irrelevant, and quite unlikely in this situation.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

Let's keep it civil, folks.

 

[BrewWench]

I'll tell you that I, for one, will put a dog down before I spend $500 on doggy tests.

$500 is a drop in the bucket - I'm likely one of the most broke people here and we just spent that much on a deathly ill beloved cat, who is just fine now, if anyone here cares.

So how many charities and homeless shelters have you donated $500 to? Anyone can talk the talk. But I can't imagine anyone would be a very good pet owner if they didn't love their animal enough to spend a measly $500 to save its life. You shouldn't be a pet owner if all you are willing to do is feed and water and pet it - they get that and more from the SPCA.

...As well as apparently the same risk of being euthanized.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

$500 is a drop in the bucket - I'm likely one of the most broke people here and we just spent that much on a deathly ill beloved cat, who is just fine now, if anyone here cares.

So how many charities and homeless shelters have you donated $500 to? Anyone can talk the talk. But I can't imagine anyone would be a very good pet owner if they didn't love their animal enough to spend a measly $500 to save its life. You shouldn't be a pet owner if all you are willing to do is feed and water and pet it - they get that and more from the SPCA.

...As well as apparently the same risk of being euthanized.

I don't have the money to donate. So I volunteer at them instead.

It's good that you have the money to spend on your cat. I'm sure I would do the same if my $13 an hour job allowed me to pay off my 6-figure debts any faster. Be thankful.

Cheers!

 

[NitrouStang96]

Is the cat spayed? Maybe she went nuts because she's in heat?

I defy anyone to tell me I'm a bad pet owner for not thinking my pet's life is more important than another human's.

So have you actually had to make the choice to put your pet down instead of spending a lot of money on it? And then did you turn around and donate that money instead to a senior citizen charity?

I won't argue with your principle, but the way you justify it is ridiculous.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Is the cat spayed? Maybe she went nuts because she's in heat?


So have you actually had to make the choice to put your pet down instead of spending a lot of money on it? And then did you turn around and donate that money instead to a senior citizen charity?

I won't argue with your principle, but the way you justify it is ridiculous.

I have made that choice, though I didn't have the money to donate even if I wanted to. See above.

I just can't comprehend why people think pets deserve that level of medical care. It's a totally weird concept to me. Hell, two of my aunts and SWMBO's mom all ate their pets when they were growing up. What can I say? I'd rather eat them than provide medical care...

 

[NitrouStang96]

That's hilarious/gross/sad - pick one, two, or all three.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

That's hilarious/gross/sad - pick one, two, or all three.

Aunts raised rabbits. SWMBO's mom had a pet chicken. One of my aunt's was in her late 30's before she ever got a pet that she didn't plan on eating.

Animals. That's where meat comes from, dontchaknow. The fact that some people understand that animals are for eating doesn't make them any worse as owners of the animal.

All I've done really is extend that logic out to "less edible" animals.

Sure, they're technically still edible, but I'm not eating a dog or cat. Nevertheless, I don't see my lack of interest in eating my dog to be a justification for changing the perceived relationship between pet and owner. That relationship has been around, and has worked just fine, for millions of years...

 

[ArcaneXor]

Aunts raised rabbits. SWMBO's mom had a pet chicken. One of my aunt's was in her late 30's before she ever got a pet that she didn't plan on eating.

Animals. That's where meat comes from, dontchaknow. The fact that some people understand that animals are for eating doesn't make them any worse as owners of the animal.

All I've done really is extend that logic out to "less edible" animals.

Sure, they're technically still edible, but I'm not eating a dog or cat. Nevertheless, I don't see my lack of interest in eating my dog to be a justification for changing the perceived relationship between pet and owner. That relationship has been around, and has worked just fine, for millions of years...

Methinks I hear the alcohol talking now...

Ultimately, isn't the level of care given to any animal - whether edible or not - determined by (1) any legal requirements that may exist and (2) whatever the owner thinks is appropriate? We can argue about what we think is responsible and irresponsible pet ownership, but that's largely subject to opinion.

 

[RICLARK]

Yuri just close the thread,I regret even mentioning it.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Yuri just close the thread,I regret even mentioning it.

You have my apologies. I was biting my tongue until one person accused another of being a bad owner and that just sort of set me off. These are all very personal decisions and I can appreciate and respect that.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide is right for you and your family.

 

[RICLARK]

You have my apologies. I was biting my tongue until one person accused another of being a bad owner and that just sort of set me off. These are all very personal decisions and I can appreciate and respect that.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide is right for you and your family.

No, it wasn't you. I agreed with most of your rant, but certain things just pissed me off to the point where im getting way to out of hand right now. its easier for a mod to close the thread. If anyone wants to know what the vet says pm me. IT pisses me off that im a bad pet owner for not potentionally spending a rent check on my cat. I dont want to get banned for saying something I shouldn't.

 

[Sir Humpsalot]

Methinks I hear the alcohol talking now...

Ultimately, isn't the level of care given to any animal - whether edible or not - determined by (1) any legal requirements that may exist and (2) whatever the owner thinks is appropriate? We can argue about what we think is responsible and irresponsible pet ownership, but that's largely subject to opinion.

Actually, I hadn't had a drop up to that point. But now I have.

The bottom line is this. There is no way to put a dollar amount on the companionship that a pet provides to us. Anybody who would trade their dog or cat for $50,000 is a lousy owner, IMO. However, it's one thing to say that you wouldn't trade your pet for money. It's another thing to say that people should be obliged to spend money on an animal when its care is beyond what they can afford.

Again, I'm trying not to be too wicked here. I love animals and I truly believe my pets get a fantastic life. However, like Riclark said, if it's a question of a rent check, or keeping my car so I can go to work, or worse... there comes a time when, as freakin sad as it is, you have to just say, "I can't do it."

It sure as hell sucks. And each person's situation is different. And I think anyone who supposes to know what the proper dollar amount is to spend on an animal can freakin stuff it. It's a personal decision. A *very* personal decision. I was adamant that I wouldn't spend a lot, but I wouldn't dream of saying you were a bad owner if you did. Of course, like I said, pet ownership (unless you eat the animal or profit from it) is a selfish ego-centric thing. It's like owning a sportscar or a fancy house. It's what you can afford to do.

And anybody who feels strongly about it is probably just fine as an owner whether they can afford $10 or $10,000. I, for one, truly believe, that even if dogs or cats had their choice, they wouldn't be looking at your pocket book when they decided who they were going home with.

Some animals are just luckier than others. It doesn't make the rest of us bad owners merely because one's financial situation may be worse than another's.


Just my $0.02

Sorry again.

 

[FireBrewer]

RICLARK, I don't envy your position. Hope you find a solution that works for the cat and the family.

 

[PeteOz77]

Cat attacks child. THANK your GOD that a claw didn't hit an eyeball and render hit blind in one eye or both.

Take him to a shelter and explain what happened, so any future owners know what they are getting themselves into, but do NOT let the beast continue to live in your house.. the next attack could BLIND your child. Talk to me about being a bad pet owner when you son is blind in one eye or both....

That's the tamed down, PC version of what I really wanted to say.. which involves a burlap bag, a river and a rock... or the short version ... which I won't share other than to say"Carbon Monoxide"

I don't hate cats... or any other animals but any "Domestic" animal that attacks a child.. leaves the house.. forever.

 

[PeteOz77]

Yuri just close the thread,I regret even mentioning it.

No reason to lock this thread. It may not be going the way you wanted it to, but, but not all threads do....

We have 2 members that are working out their difference of opinion, but I would prefer to see that play out for the best, rather than see another thread locked for no good reason.. we are all adults here... until proven otherwise.

 

[brauhaus]

You know what pet goes well with little kids?

None.

Goldfish .

 

[the_bird]

Upon request of the OP (and because it's getting wicked personal), I'm locking the thread. RIClark, send me a PM when you get the diagnosis; I'm worried.