Heartbroken woman's warning after cat is killed by dogs

Jun 10 2010 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

Linda O'Brien

A HEARTBROKEN woman has warned other pet owners to be vigilant after her cat was savaged by dogs.

The RSPCA has also warned the dogs could strike again, and has asked people with any information to contact police.

Linda O’Brien’s cat Tia had to be put down by vets on May 27 because his injuries were so serious.

Linda, who lives with her husband Garry on Mountain Road in Conwy, said: “I’m totally grief-stricken, I’ve never felt like this before. I go to bed crying and when I wake up I start again.

“Tia was a really beautiful cat who looked just like a Norwegian forest cat. We’d had him for eight years. I miss him so much.”

Linda explained: “About a month ago I spotted a couple walking up our road with a Jack Russell and a spaniel, and they weren’t on leads.

“The dogs spotted our cat and ran into our garden. He wouldn’t have stood a chance if we hadn’t been there.

“It was horrible. My husband and I were screaming at the dogs trying to get them off and Tia managed to escape into the next door neighbour’s garden.

“He was so frightened that he ran into their stream.”

Linda confronted the dog owners, who apparently stood silently while the attack went on.

“Garry and I went absolutely mad with them. They had stood by and watched the whole thing happen and not said a word,” she said.

“The couple, in their 40s or 50s, hadn’t done anything to try and get the dogs off, they didn’t call them or anything.

“It was very strange behaviour. We didn’t get an apology or even a single word out of them. They just walked off without a word.”

A month on, Linda, who works at a homeless hostel in Colwyn Bay, got a call from her neighbour about Tia.

“My neighbour thought Tia been sunbathing in her garden, but then noticed there were flies around him,” said Linda.

Linda and her neighbour rushed him to the vet, and were told his tail had been bitten through, he had a 6in wound to the side of him, and a broken leg.

“The vet advised me to have him put down, so I had to do it. I went back home to find Tia’s fur all over the road and our gate, and there was blood everywhere. He must have fought to the death.”

She added: “I’m convinced it was those two dogs who killed my cat. I’ve been asking people to look out for them.”

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “Owners should be in full control of their dogs at all times. In public places they should be on a full leash, and if they are known to attack, then muzzled too.

“These dogs could easily attack again, even a small child. If anyone has any information they should contact police.”