The “horrific” incident left her cat, Silver, requiring emergency surgery and resulted in a vet bill of almost £500.
Now she wants to warn other cat owners and says about dogs: “If you can’t control it, muzzle it.”
Tina Graham claims 11-year-old Silver was sitting by the front door when the dog came in and attacked then chased him into a neighbour’s garden before pinning him up against a wall.
Tina, of North Road, said: “The irresponsible dog owner claimed his dog was attacked by three cats and needed emergency vet attention but he didn’t attend the emergency vets.
“My cat was rushed down to the local emergency vets and spent all night being opened up to repair the damage from the dog, then stitched back up again.
“I collected the cat the next day with a nice bill for £246.90.”
She hoped that Silver would make a full recovery but since returning then he has required further treatment and check-ups.
She told the Observer: “This was reported to the police with a witness and photographic evidence but I was told dog on cat isn’t a crime, and there’s nothing anybody can do.
“My family has to now sit and wait to see if this poor old cat is going to make a full recovery from this horrific attack.”
Now Tina wants to alert owners to the apparent lack of protection for cats.
She commented: “If a dog attacks another dog or person it will be put down, but if a dog attacks your cat, it’s fine.
“Although this dog was off the lead, out of control, and entered my property. there’s nothing that can be done.
“We want to state our anger. Luckily our cat, touch wood, is making a full recovery but the next cat might not be so lucky.
“We never thought this would happen, and we have owned cats 16 years.”
She advised those who have dogs: “You own up to your responsibilities. If you cant control it, muzzle it.”
Sgt Dan Russell of Bexhill Neighbourhood Police Unit agreed there was no provision in law for dogs attacking cats, as this was considered a natural reaction, and said with an isolated incident anyway there would be no action to take.
He suggested if the dog continued to be a problem police would “look into it”, and added: “I understand her pain and we are sympathetic.”
(Bexhill Observer - March 9, 2012)
