Horror as family cat is mauled to death by dogs

The woman called for tougher laws against dogs which attack other animals after her 12-year-old female cat was killed in the incident on Tuesday which also left her mother needing a tetanus shot and antibiotics for bites she received.

The woman, who didn't want to be identified, said: "She was an indoor cat and was only allowed out for a few minutes at a time and she never left the front and back garden. She was a young stray when we got her and we've had her twelve years, she was always very timid."

The shocked local added: "The dogs have gotten out several times. She tried to get away but they cornered her in the hedge. My mum phoned me and then tried to stop the dogs. Mum tried everything she could to get them off her, lifting their back legs, everything, but they wouldn't let go. It was only a matter of minutes but she was just mauled. She was alive for a couple of minutes, but her jaw was mauled and her legs were broken and she died in mum's arms.

"Mum's hands are ripped to shreds, they are swollen and cut from where she tried to stop the dogs and she had to have a tetanus and was given antibiotics from her doctor."

The woman said she fears for children if dogs are able to attack a cat in this way, saying that her two-year-old son is often at his grandmother's home. She added: "My mum looks after my son whilst I am at college and it could have been him. Mum also has other grandchildren visit her, what if these dogs had attacked a child?"

Whilst one of the dogs was taken away by the Dog Warden, it is expected to be returned to its owner. The woman said: "The law is a shambles. The Dog Warden has been a great support but unfortunately because of the law they can't hold the dog. The law needs to be made a lot stronger."

A Council spokesperson said they had received a complaint regarding a domestic cat being attacked by two dogs.

"The Council is currently holding one of the dogs in the Council's Dog Pound. Current legislation, the 'Dogs (Northern Ireland) Order 1983' does not permit the Council to take action against the owner of a dog for attacking another domestic pet. The Order only permits Councils to take action if a dog has attacked a person.

"Whilst the circumstances of this incident are undesirable and very difficult for the owner of the pet which was attacked, it is presently the case that under the current legislation the Council has no alternative but to return the dog to its owner.

"The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently undertook a public consultation on proposed changes to dog control legislation, which would allow action to be taken if a dog attacks another dog. This consultation closed on 1st February 2010.

"Following responses received to the consultation document the Agriculture Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA this week introduced the Dogs (Amendment) Bill to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

"Should the Bill become law, it will introduce compulsory microchipping and will allow Council Dog Wardens to impose penalties where there has been a breach of dog control laws. The Bill will also make it an offence to allow a dog to attack and injure another person's dog.

"The Bill in its current form will not make it an offence for a dog to attack a domestic cat.

"The Council can however take action against any owner for allowing their dog to stray in public. Most people think of a stray dog as one without a home. This is not the case. The Dogs (NI) Order 1983 describes a stray dog as any dog that is not on its owner's property and not accompanied by any person. The Dog Warden can seize any straying dog and impound it until the owner can be traced."