Cat killed by greyhounds

I am devastated to report that my cat was savagely killed on Thursday morning by two greyhounds.

I have copied in part of my report to the RSPCA for animal cruelty. I would like a notice in AudlemOnline about this incident, as people need to be aware of what happened. They need to be careful. If their dog or cat is attacked, and they try to intervene, they will be savagely mauled.

I am utterly heartbroken, as my beautiful cat was caught on Thursday morning by two retired greyhounds, walking off lead, no muzzles (history of chasing cats). The owner was yards away, and did not even try to stop his dogs as they ripped my cat apart and tossed him repeatedly in the air.

The owner only got involved when he heard me screaming, as I was in my garden and could see what was happening. The dogs were savaging each other in their killing frenzy.

The owner had to repeatedly punch the dogs and as he got hold of one the other continued to maul my cat. I got into the field in seconds, by which time the owner had leashed his dogs, threw my cat into the ditch and was leaving.

His dogs were completely covered in my cat's blood and had deep wounds to their faces and bodies caused by biting each other. One dog had to go to surgery.

The owner did not see that he had done anything wrong, he took no responsibility for the incident. The police have been involved and my insurers are also wanting a full post mortem done.

My best friend regularly adopts retired greyhounds and has always ensured her dogs are muzzled when out walking, as a responsible owner and protecting small dogs and cats, as she says the instinct to chase and kill is so strong in these dogs.

I would be interested in hearing what advice is given to owners of these dogs and if they are made aware of their responsibilities.

The small community, Buerton, which I live in, has numerous cats, small dogs, children – I am absolutely terrified for their safety. I am told that this man also walks his dogs in Audlem and have been seen unmuzzled there as well.

My cat, Hamish, did NOT have to die. The owner of the greyhounds should have been in control of his dogs, he should have stopped them killing my cat. Hamish died an agonising and terrifying death. There was no blood left in him and the wounds to his stomach were so deep, you could see his spine. He was still alive when thrown into the ditch, as when I picked him up, his eyes were open and in shock. He died within minutes in my arms.

The police advised me of the Dangerous Dog Act. The owner had NO control of his animals and allowed them to kill and torture another animal. I would have been seriously bitten or mauled by these dogs if I had attempted to rescue my cat.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 2014 it states:-

• 1. Overview: It's against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control anywhere, such as in a public place, in a private place, eg a neighbour's house or garden in the owner's home. The law applies to all dogs. Some types of dogs are banned.
• 2. Out of control: Your dog is considered dangerously out of control if it injures someone, makes someone worried that it might injure them. A court could also decide that your dog is dangerously out of control if either of the following apply: it attacks someone's animal, the owner of an animal thinks they could be injured if they tried to stop your dog attacking their animal.
• 3. A farmer is allowed to kill your dog if it's worrying their livestock.

Penalties:

• You can get an unlimited fine or be sent to prison for up to 6 months (or both) if your dog is dangerously out of control. You may not be allowed to own a dog in the future and your dog may be destroyed.
• If you let your dog injure someone you can be sent to prison for up to 5 years or fined (or both). If you
• deliberately use your dog to injure someone you could be charged with 'malicious wounding'.
• If you allow your dog to kill someone you can be sent to prison for up to 14 years or get an unlimited fine (or both).

If you allow your dog to injure an assistance dog (eg a guide dog) you can be sent to prison for up to 3 years or fined (or both).

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