Simon killed a kitten
I feel soooo bad! Last year in June a mama cat left 3 babies in my garage. When it was apparent she wasn't coming back I took them inside. They were only about 3 weeks old at the time, and I nursed them, got them weaned, took care of them. I was careful to keep them isolated from the dogs, as I didn't trust Simon then. I still have two of them and they are so dog savvy, but I have given them ample ways to get away from the dogs if they get too rambunctious. I knew Simon was prey driven and wanted to chase, but I guess I didn't figure he would really kill one. I am really bummed and sad, and don't want to feel differently about Simon. In my mind I know he is just a prey driven dog and was just doing what his instincts tell him. But...it still really bothers me that he killed that kitten. I have three kitties here, the two I have from last summer and an 18 year old kitty I have had since I adopted her from the pound when she was 6 weeks old. I'm wondering if I should rehome him into a home without cats. I hate to think of that, I have worked so hard with him since I rescued him, and he has made such great strides. I'm really very sad tonight. |
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| It takes a lot of work to get them out of that prey drive. They can be trained to overcome it but it takes hours and hours. it's sad when your dogs kill without realizing what they are doing. Don't hold it against him, but take it as an opportunity to teach. He is trainable, he did drop it on command so he does respect you as a leader. When we were "blessed" with orphaned kittens, frankly I was shocked MO accepted them, let along tried to mother them for a few weeks....lick their bums, lick their fur. Is there any chance your dog was trying to bring them to you? |
| My first thought wasn't that he was 'trying' to kill it. Maybe he thought he was trying to play... or bring it to you like suggested. Don't hold it against him. Our Lily loves to try and chase our cat in the house.... but she is def trying to play. When Donny Cat turns to her and lets Lily know he's had enough Lily leaves him alone. (Have you ever seen a cat that will stare down a dog & the dog hunkers and lays down?? It's the funniest thing) |
| Maybe the kitten was already sickly before Simon got to it. Maybe he was bringing it to you so you could help it. |
| Maybe the kitten died from a heart attack due to shock . |
Did the kitten have puncture wounds? Young kittens are so fragile, it could just be that he was inadvertently too rough with it. Very sad either way  Also, have you tried any "Trap Neuter Return" programs in your area? If you trapped and spayed/neutered the cats in the area you would greatly reduce the amount of kittens around and hopefully limit the risk of Simon hurting another. |
Quote: I'm wondering if I should rehome him into a home without cats. How long have you had Simon? In the time you've had him, has he ever shown inappropriate or rough behavior with your cats? Quote: I am really bummed and sad, and don't want to feel differently about Simon. Love your baby as you always have. This was not a kitten you had been introduced him to, it was not a member of your pack... it was unfamiliar to him and out of place in your yard. Sorry this hurts so much. |
| I totally agree with Jaci. Love your baby as you always have. Does you Sheepie chase squirrels?.. I have heard many stories of dogs catching and killing squirrels, birds and even rabbits..I think it just part of the canine nature. The trouble with the kitten is that we think of them as domestic animals, cute and cuddley, and can't reconcile the fact that our doggies would hurt them. He didn't know any better. |
| I am sure he didnt mean to kill the kitty, probably just picked it up too roughly. Accidents happen, dont be too hard on your pup or on yourself...xx |
| Sometimes little human kids will accidentally kill kittens by being to rough. While parents are upset over it they still love their kids. I agree with the others, love your boy as always. |
| Thank you for all the kind words. The kitten did not have any puncture wounds, it probably died of a heart attack from shock or from being shaken too hard by him. He always chases the cats here, but when he gets near them he doesn't try to hurt them, and they are so dog savvy by now, they usually just look at him and calmly walk away, thereby avoiding "the chase". (The kittens, that is. My 18 year old hates the dogs and lives on high surfaces at all times, lol) We've worked hard on "leave it" with the kitties and are usually pretty successful. After having slept on it, I know there is no way I could rehome him due to this. He's been with me a little over 2 years, he is almost five. When he first arrived (he's a rescue) he was a total mess, no socialization, didn't know what treats or toys were, absolutely no training. Afraid of everything new and unfamiliar. He is a much different dog now, although not perfect by any means. He is close to passing his CGC and recently started beginning agility, although so far that's been kind of disaster!  I can't fault him for his actions.Thank you all for listening. |
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| Kind of a funny aside.... I got home tonight and...no dogs???? Then I heard scratching at the bathroom door...I leave it open so they can lay on the cool tile during the day. Opened the door and out sauntered Bella, Simon and Woodstock, one of the kitties! You all were so right. They have pack kitties that are safe. And Susan, I gotta ask....how did you get the privilege of adopting abandoned kittens? I never meant to keep these guys. When I found them I called every rescue I could find, but the kittens were so young, about 2 -3 weeks, none of them would take them. They told me if I could get them 8 weeks and weaned they would take them. Then....once they were 8 weeks and weaned, all the rescues were full and wouldn't take them. I found a home for one of them, a little tortoise female, but the other two are just the garden variety black kitties. They are sweet, though. I WISH my dogs had adopted them like MO did.....never a dull moment at chez sheepdog |
| He is a good boy that did not know what he did. |
oesmom2 wrote: He is a good boy that did not know what he did. I agree. |
| I am sure Simon didn't mean any harm... My Briard foster killed a cat too... I was devastated but, that is what the prey drive in a dog does.. My Briard is fine with my house cat but, my Wheatie.....different story! I am sure it was an accident on Simon's part! |
| Small animals that invade a dogs territory are fair game to them. Completely natural behavior as others have suggested. You probably feel bad because a cute little kitten was involved, and would feel differently if a big nasty rat or a snake were what Simon captured in his yard, but to him it is the same thing. There is no reason for you to see Simon as some kind of killer of the innocent. He is just doing what dogs do. My male Charlie has caught a number of mice, rats and snakes in the yard. They appear uninjured and to have died from shock when I find them, too. |
| We had a beagle mix when I was little. She always brought birds and mice to the house and dropped them on the stairs by the back door. Don't know what it meant. Some people thought that it was her way of giving gifts. |
| Many years ago we only had a cat, Oreo. She was wonderful and gentle with dog-like qualities...great for our life style. I was taking a bubble bath one day and she came into the bathroom and was rooting around my PJ's on the floor and she had something in her mouth. I called for Bobby (he had let her in ) and found she had put a baby rabbit in them. The rabbit was still alive but very little and did not survive. I felt as you did with the kitten, but after research it is thought that cats will bring offerings, for lack of better words. It took me a while to get over this, but they are animals and just as we humans, they have instints. I don't think that it was Simon's intent to harm the kitten but to bring it to you. More of a look Mom at what I've found. |
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