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

[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

[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?

[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

[Steve vRS]

She's in the boot if the car. She hated going in the car!

The dog owner had been round, an extremely contrite, polite and decent chap. I have his details and told him I may inform the dog warden. He has said that he will muzzle the dog and keep away from our home.

Steve

[Steve vRS]

Thanks for everyone's kind words. It was 'only a cat' but she was our Mustard.

I will call the dog warden tomorrow and pass over the details. Another witness posted us her details should we need them.

The house feels very empty this evening.

Steve

[Steve vRS]

My tiny, aged cat didn't pose a threat to anything bigger than a field mouse. In fact it is a few years some she even brought a mouse home.

An out of control dog can do damage and therefore should be controlled.

Steve

[Steve vRS]

Well the local dog warden has been informed and they asked me to inform the police as well given that the dog was out of control in a public place.

The children are coming home from my mum's house tomorrow. Telling them will be an unpleasant task.

Steve

[Steve vRS]

To bring closure to this thread, an update from me.

The dog warden visited the owner and insisted that the dog be muzzled in public and on a lead. According to feedback from the warden, the dog owner remained apologetic and close to tears. I reminded her that my little girl was still in tears as Mustard is not asleep on her bed, just to put things back into context, that an out of control dog killed our cat after running onto our garden.

The kids still think she died in her sleep and that will remain so. No plans yet for a new cat but if we do, it will be another from a homing centre or charity.

Steve