Monroe, CT asked in Animal / Dog Law for Connecticut

Q: Neighbor's cat moved in, neighbor wants the cat back. Cat doesn't want to go back.

Neighbor's cat stopped by my apartment a few months ago. We left the door open and she was free to come and go as she pleased. She stayed overnight multiple times. The neighbor asked for her back. We tried to get her to go but every time she left she would come back a few hours later. Even if we encouraged her outside and left the door closed, she would bolt inside every time the door was opened. Yesterday, the neighbor verbally attacked my mother and chased her inside. He proceeded to slam on the locked door until the police were called. He left before they arrived so they gave him a verbal warning later that day. We spoke to Animal control who says legally, the cat is his. Is there anything we can do to protect ourselves? (We want the cat to be able to do as she pleases. If she wants to go, she can go, if she wants to say, she can stay).

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1 Lawyer Answer
Sally A. Roberts
Sally A. Roberts
Answered
  • Hartford, CT
  • Licensed in Connecticut

A: :Legally the cat belongs to your neighbor. Best to not allow the cat to visit so the cat does not get used to staying at your place.

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