Cat killed in horrific attack by dog in Deganwy

Apr 21 2011 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a dog killed a much loved pet cat, in a frenzied attack.

North Wales Police are treating the case as a “critical” incident, because of the devastation it has caused to the cat’s owners and the local community in Deganwy.

Christine and her husband Delwyn Williams, were watching television at their home at Heulfryn, when they heard what they described as a “blood curdling” scream.

They both ran up their road to hear what the noise was, and to their horror their beloved ginger tabby cat called ‘Owain Goch’ was struggling for its life in a dog’s mouth.

Christine said: “It happened around 8.45pm on March 31.

“The horrible blood curdling scream was our poor Owi, who was hanging out of this lurcher type dog’s mouth.

“Whilst Delwyn was trying to prise the dog’s jaw open, the owner of the dog just stood by doing nothing to help.

“It was hard to free Owi, as the poor thing had been impaled by the dog’s teeth. When we got him, Owi was covered in blood and his breathing was terrible.”

Christine wrapped her pet up in a blanket and rushed him to a vet. However, Owi’s injuries were terrible, and despite emergency care he died during the early hours of the morning.

The police have witnesses who have confirmed the attack as being a deliberate one.

One witness saw the owner, who was described as being in his teens, as taking his dog off the lead, and giving him a command to kill the cat.

“The owner of the dog was apologetic at first, but then one of the neighbours told us the attack had been a deliberate one.

“I had hold of the dog, and was not going to let him go until the police came, but unfortunately he slipped out of his collar and ran off with his owner around the corner.”

It’s understood the youth was later seen being driven away from a house in Tan y Fron. The police have retained the dog’s collar and are carrying out forensics.

Delwyn said: “Can you imagine if a child had been in the way?

“We are keeping our other cat in the house as we are to afraid to let him go outside.”

Andrea Verburg, community beat manager for Deganwy, said: “We are not letting this matter go, Mr and Mrs Williams are understandably in bits over this.

“We’ve already spoken to the RSPCA and Conwy’s dog warden, and we are appealing for witnesses.”

If you have information regarding this incident place call the police non emergency line on 101. You can leave any information anonymously.