Our cat has just been killed by a dog

[Steve vRS]

I've just been to the vets to see our 15year old moggie who has been savaged to death by a greyhound.

Our neighbour spotted the attack and confronted the owner and took our cat to the vets but it was dead on arrival.

Apparently the dog owner is coming to our house to see us tonight. What do I say to him? The vet has said we should involve the police as the dog was out of control.

I am very upset and angry. The cat was on our garden when the dog, not on a lead grabbed it and ran off. Our cat was very small and never ventures far from the house. We live on a very quiet road, chosen for the location so that cats and kids were protected from traffic. It is a popular route for dog walkers as we are adjacent to a playing field and the Trans-Pennine-Trail.

Grrr

Steve

[Negative Creep]

Sorry to hear that I certainly be contacting the Police, but just try to be as calm and as composed as possible when he does come round. Presume his insurance will be paying for the vet bills?

[Foliage]

Police and RSPCA, it could be a child next.

[Morningside]

At least he has the balls to come round. I know you are angry and upset and rightfully so, but I would wait to see what is said.

Not excusing dog but maybe a ex racing rescue that escaped.

ETA: Sorry, just re-read and he was out walking and the dog was NOT on a lead?

[Steve vRS]

The dog was not on a lead.

I don't think there will be any vet bills as she was dead on arrival. They are holding the body till I collect it on the way home from work so I'll ask then if there are any charges.

Some interesting reading here==> http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/controlling-your-dog-in...

Steve

Edited by Steve vRS on Wednesday 22 July 13:51

[audikentman]

Sorry for your loss completely unnecessary

Foliage said:

Police and RSPCA, it could be a child next.

Agreed.

I would see if he comes round see what he says and how contrite he is.

[gjc10212]

Isn't it about time for legislation to be passed enforcing all dogs to wear muzzles in public?

[Morningside]

gjc10212 said:

Isn't it about time for legislation to be passed enforcing all dogs to wear muzzles in public?

Why?

Some breeds maybe worse than others but they are not ALL evil killing machines.

[muppets_mate]

A truly horrible situation OP, I am really sorry for your loss. I feel your pain as a cat owner and someone involved in greyhound rescue.

Foliage said:

Police and RSPCA, it could be a child next.

I can understand the depth of people's feelings but I can not agree with this statement. Some greyhounds have a high prey drive for small fluffy animals, often trained into them by their trainers using small fluffy animals sadly. It just does not compute that this incident, as dreadful as it is, means that the dog is threat to children.

If it is known that the dog has a high prey drive a responsible owner should have the dog on lead and/or muzzled when walking it in public. To not do so is irresponsible and asking for trouble. As a result the OP has lost his beloved cat and greyhounds are taking a bashing.

[AndrewEH1]

Foliage said:

Police and RSPCA, it could be a child next.

Sadly this is the only course of action. Might end up with the dog being 'destroyed' but I guess that's the consequence of bad ownership.

[Rick101]

Love dogs but there is nothing worse than an owner that can't control it.
Nearly had an accident yesterday in Hawes when idiot woman thought it was a good idea to secure dog to a shopping trolley outside whilst she went into the shop. You can guess how that went. Thankfully no damage or injuries to anybody.

Sorry for your loss. Hope you can both stay calm and sort this out staying civil.

[Jasandjules]

I am so very sorry for your loss. I can not say how I would be in your shoes.

However, I would require this individual to keep his dog muzzled any time in public from now on.

I would not report it to the police either, for fear of the dog being destroyed. Sadly, a Greyhound is likely to chase, that is why most owners muzzle them in public.

[moorx]

muppets_mate said:

A truly horrible situation OP, I am really sorry for your loss. I feel your pain as a cat owner and someone involved in greyhound rescue.

Foliage said:

Police and RSPCA, it could be a child next.

I can understand the depth of people's feelings but I can not agree with this statement. Some greyhounds have a high prey drive for small fluffy animals, often trained into them by their trainers using small fluffy animals sadly. It just does not compute that this incident, as dreadful as it is, means that the dog is threat to children.

If it is known that the dog has a high prey drive a responsible owner should have the dog on lead and/or muzzled when walking it in public. To not do so is irresponsible and asking for trouble. As a result the OP has lost his beloved cat and greyhounds are taking a bashing.

Absolutely agree. I am a greyhound owner myself, so am well aware of the breed's tendencies with regard to cats and other small furry animals - but this does not make them more likely to attack a child than any other breed.

OP - I am truly sorry to hear about your cat. A friend's greyhound unfortunately did the same (it was on a lead but not muzzled). They too went to see the owners to apologise. They were visited by the Dog Warden, and ordered to have their greyhound muzzled when out walking. I think it is unlikely that the police will want to be involved - AFAIK, they will usually refer any dog/dog or dog/cat incidents to the Dog Warden.

[t400ble]

Very sad

[Steve vRS]

Is it recognised by greyhound owners/experts that they should be muzzled in public as they are trained and bred to chase prey?

[ali_kat]

I cannot fully express my feelings right now; I'm upset, hurt, angry and shocked on your behalf

I think that the Owner of the Dog is being very responsible in coming to visit you later, I hope that the neighbour has his details; but I'm guessing they were only thinking of getting the poor cat to the Vet. They are probably as shocked as you are by the incident (I'm assuming that they are, like us, decent humans), and had no idea that the dog would do that (eg if an ex racer the dog has possibly only encountered larger cats & yours being small was seen as the lure? My friends GH pays no attention to the usual Moggies she sees in the garden apart from one small torti that she goes mad at, as a result she only goes in the garden supervised); but it should be on a lead and should be muzzled henceforth, involving the Police should ensure that; ey are unlikely to destroy it at this stage

Unless you plan to bury it, there will be a bill for disposal

at the Daily Mail response

Foliage said:

it could be a child next.

My deepest sympathies on your loss

Edited by ali_kat on Wednesday 22 July 15:51

[CaptainMorgan]

Steve vRS said:

Is it recognised by greyhound owners/experts that they should be muzzled in public as they are trained and bred to chase prey?

I'd expect that depends on the dog in question. I know people with greyhounds and cats with no issues. Any ex racing do I'd assume they should either be muzzled or on a short lead.

Sorry for your loss op, hopefully you and the owner can sort things out amicably

[Steve vRS]

ali_kat said:

Unless you plan to bury it, there will be a bill for disposal

Burying her at home for the children to have a place to remember her by. They are away at their grannies at the moment so we're going to tell them she died overnight in her sleep. Little white lies will make it easier for them but they would like a grave.

We had a cat that died 10 years ago in the cattery and they ask why we don't have a grave.

Steve

[muppets_mate]

Steve vRS said:

Is it recognised by greyhound owners/experts that they should be muzzled in public as they are trained and bred to chase prey?

There is no hard and fast rule as it depends on the individual dog. Some greyhounds live happily with small dogs/cats/rabbits etc, others will not because of their high prey drive.

However, a responsible rehoming charity will temperament test every dog they rehome and advise the owners accordingly. If there is any doubt the owners should either muzzle and/or have the dog on a lead.

I wish you strength in having your conversation with the dog owner this evening.

[toohangry]

That must be horrific OP. Sympathies.

AndrewEH1 said:

Foliage said:

Police and RSPCA, it could be a child next.

Sadly this is the only course of action. Might end up with the dog being 'destroyed' but I guess that's the consequence of bad ownership.

I'm pretty sure the dog won't be destroyed for killing a cat. IIRC cats and dogs aren't seen equally in law and cats have less 'rights' than dogs.

I've got a sighthound and it's the prey drive that does this - why the GH wasn't on a lead is the question here. A neighbour of mine walks her off the lead, an ex-racer, however as he's so docile he just doesn't chase anything. Saying that though, I wouldn't risk it.