Neighbours put barbed wire up in their garden just to keep out our cat!
BRISTLING with a range of sharp spikes and coils of barbed wire, the defences along this suburban garden wall would surely stop the most intrepid cat burglar.
But a horrified pet owner claims the security measures have been erected simply to keep out Tiggly... her cat.
Bea Upton, 46, has complained to the RSPCA about the fortifications, but the animal charity says it is powerless to take action unless the 14-year-old pet is hurt.
Miss Upton said Tiggly has already become tangled in the wire and spikes while trying to use the wall to get down to the ground.
The clerical worker, of Chandler’s Ford, Hampshire, said: ‘It’s awful. Tiggly got stuck in it and neighbours had to rescue her.
‘The neighbour has put all the barbed wire just to stop Tiggly, out of spite. It prevents her living a normal, happy, free life.
‘She says she put it up to stop Tiggly damaging her car. ‘I have complained to the RSPCA but they say they cannot get involved because people are allowed to put up pet deterrents.’
The black and white cat used to use an upstairs window to get on to a tiled roof before dropping down to the wall. She could then walk along and jump to the ground at the house two doors away. Miss Upton added that Tiggly has to use the window to get out rather than a ground floor cat flap because she is too frightened of the two dogs she also owns.
Contacting the RSPCA, she was told they were powerless to intervene. A spokesman for the charity said: ‘Although the law does not state that adding barbed wire to a fence is illegal, it may become so depending on the case and what happens to an animal as a result.’
More humane deterrents include automatic water sprays or using prickly shrubs, said the spokesman. Miss Upton’s neighbour, Valerie Pollard, declined to discuss the barbed wire and spikes.
While perfectly lawful, it is not recommended as a method of security because property owners can find themselves sued by trespassers and even burglars if they injure themselves.
According to the Occupier’s Liability Act 1984, homeowners have a ‘duty of care’ to protect people on the property from harm – including intruders. Even warning notices may not provide complete legal protection for owners.
A further law, the Highways Act 1980, states that barbed wire on land adjoining a public route must not cause a nuisance to people or animals. Police advice on boundary security states: ‘Do not use barbed wire, razor wire or broken glass on walls or fences to protect your property – you could be held legally responsible for any injuries caused.’
However, the smaller plastic spikes that have been used by Mrs Pollard are encouraged as a ‘safer alternative’ on exterior walls and fences, the police advice adds.
‘She had to be rescued’