Nuisance from cats? Discover your rights!

Questioner

My neighbors' cats are a nuisance. They're scratching up my garden. Are cats even allowed to roam freely?

Questioner

Dear questioner, Unlike dogs, cats are allowed to roam freely. If you can prove that the damage to your garden was caused by your neighbor's cats, you can hold them accountable. Under Dutch law, the owner of an animal is generally liable for any damage caused by that animal. First, I advise you to discuss this with your neighbors to recover damages. If the damage is so significant, a low-threshold procedure in the subdistrict court is an option. You can then invoke Article 6:179 of the Dutch Civil Code, which stipulates the aforementioned liability for the animal. I hope this answer has helped you a bit. I wish you the best of luck with the next steps.