A neighborhood dispute over stray cats turned alarming when police were called to Hutchins Street after a resident reported her neighbor running through her yard with a hammer while chasing cats.
According to the Portsmouth Police Department, the caller asked for an officer to come speak with her so she could keep the neighbor out of her yard. Officers responded and spoke with everyone involved. No arrests were reported.
While the situation ended without charges, it raises a question many Portsmouth residents quietly struggle with: what are you actually supposed to do when stray cats become a problem — and where is the line between handling an issue and crossing it?
🐾 Stray Cats Are a Community Issue — Not a Vigilante One
Stray and feral cats are common in many Portsmouth neighborhoods. They can be frustrating, especially when they’re fighting, spraying, or having kittens under porches.
But chasing animals — especially with a weapon — is not an acceptable or safe solution. It can escalate quickly, frighten neighbors, and put people and animals at risk.
If a stray cat issue is becoming a problem, here’s what does help:
✅ What You Can Do About Stray Cats in Portsmouth
Contact a local rescue or humane group
Many rescues can help with trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs, which reduce fighting, noise, and breeding over time.
Avoid feeding without a plan
Feeding cats without spay/neuter efforts often makes the problem worse, not better.
Use deterrents, not threats
Motion-activated sprinklers, citrus scents, or commercial deterrents can discourage cats from certain areas without harming them.
Communicate — calmly
If a neighbor is feeding cats or upset about them, a calm conversation (or mediation) goes a lot further than confrontation.
