A cat owner in Oregon, USA says that his Himalayan cat has a history of violence. I have a sneaking suspicion that it is not the cat that is violent or out-of-control as described, but that the cat lives in a home that is unsuitable for a domestic cat. In short, the out of control criticism leveled at this cat could quite possibly better describe the people, the house holders, who look after him/her.
This is the story. A Himalayan cat weighing 22 pounds, scratches the baby in the home. He has been described as having, “attacked a baby”. I think attacking a baby is different to scratching a baby and it is almost certain that the cat scratched the baby because the baby provoked, in some way, the cat.
The fault here is neither with the baby nor the cat. The fault is clearly with the parents who failed to supervise the interaction between the cat and the baby or failed to separate them when they were not around to supervise. Nearly all cats get along with babies even new babies; they tend to ignore them but that said sensible precautions should be taken and they were not taken in this instance. Therefore blame should be placed upon the cats owners, the parents.
Returning to the story, after the cat scratched the baby, the baby’s father kicked the cat. Then the cat, predictably, became enraged and terrorised the family forcing them to retreat into the bedroom (or was it the bathroom) where the man called police. The cat was screaming we are told. The police arrived and managed to snare the cat and put him into some sort of cage. The cat was left at the home and it is not clear what the intentions of the family are in relation to their cat.
My advice, regarding their intentions, should be to ask some honest and serious questions about their behaviour and how they are managing and caring for their cat and their baby. That should be the focus of their attention rather than their cat and in the meantime I would also advise them to ensure that their cat is re-homed in a suitable home that is calm and which feels safe for the cat. The cat should not be taken to a rescue centre because we know what the outcome will be bearing in mind that the owner will describe his cat as having a history of violence. That is a death sentence.
Update: the family are keeping their cat. They indicate that he’ll be receiving medication, which, personally, I strongly disagree with.
Original story
About 10-15% of cats don’t inherit the right mix of genes for being domesticated. While not actually hostile towards humans, they would react aggressively if bothered by humans.
I don’t believe that cats are born with violent tendencies toward humans. They’re made.
I am with ferals every day and have been for years. I have never been attacked and they have a lot of potential to do harm. I would have to be an idiot to provoke any cat. If I did, I would deserve everything I got.
I’ve been involved in the rescues of some very temperamental (“nasty” in the words of former owners) Colourpoint Persians and I blame a mix of bad breeding and poor socialisation. They needed specialist homes and behavioural modificaton, in particualr the ones that attacked legs (their new owners had to wear wellies or leather boots in the house).
Cats don’t ‘attack’ babies without good reason, no doubt the baby grabbed the cat and he gave it a warning scratch. Kicking the cat was cruel and cowering in the bedroom ‘afraid’ and sending for the police was stupid and over dramatic. I just hope the poor creature is out of that place now because if not his life must be a misery.
True yea i didnt think it was the cats fault. The cat looks lovely.
I probably have been a bit judgmental (about these people) but I am defending, once again, the cat because the media have been judgmental about the cat. The domestic cat does not do what this cat allegedly did without a good reason.