I need a diplomatic soltuion to a little problem

[mitheral]

There's a bit of a risk with Bruce's idea; if the cat ever turns up poisoned the neighbour is going to immediately suspect you and you'll have a hard time convincing them you never actually put poison in your bags.

I'd just go with the cans, just bought 3 plastic ones for C$30 total yesterday. Makes it easier on the garbage men too.

And everywhere I've lived that had city garbage pickup had a cans required law on the books even if they didn't enforce it. My cynical sides thinks mostly to prevent the city having to get involved in these kinds of disputes. But there is a bit of a public health issue if pests ripping open garbage and strewing it everywhere isn't handled by home owners.