Hmmm the cat owner had every legal right to defend the cat if they saw the dog attacking it under most areas laws. eSPECIALLY given the 6 foot fence and it jumping it. Call the dog catcher to see if its legal for cats to run loose. If not report the cat and let then pick it up when you see it loose.
Comparing a cat and a dog is apples to oranges and cats have a roaming nature that is permitted in lots of locales. Where dogs are NOT allowed. You could have run the cat off yourself instead of allowing the dog to do it. Where we live... YOU would be in jail for the dog attacking the cat, you would have the h*ll fined out of you and ordered to have a huge increase in your home owners liability insurance for possessing a menacing dog.
If cats attacked dogs then you might be in the right to shoot it... but thats not the way it works. Sprinkle some realemon juice around where you see the cat hanging out and it will stay away. And no, I do NOT agree on the shooting the dog either, UNLESS it was seen attacking the cat. The dog only has defense rights on your property, if it leaves that in pursuit it is now the attacker-invader and you can be criminally responsible.
Ever try talking to these people about a mutual problem you seem to have or do you just pick back and forth?
[This message has been edited by Gemini (edited 06-17-2001).]