“Ollie” the ginger tomcat – known locally as the “Lion of Dartmouth Park” – was mauled to death by two Staffordshire bull terriers two Sundays ago as he rested in his front garden in Woodsome Road.
The dogs leapt through a front gate and attacked him, causing such serious injuries he had to be put to sleep.
The cat’s owner, Michael Brown, said: “On one level, I understand this is about a cat, but it is also about our street and our community.
“Ollie made our area that more pleasant. He was like seeing a garden full of blossom. The children round here all knew his name and would step in as they came by to give him a stroke.”
Mr Brown recalled how he was watching the men’s Wimbledon tennis final when he heard a commotion on the doorstep.
The dogs had attacked Ollie and a crowd had gathered.
While visibly shocked by the damage her pets had done, the dogs’ owner refused to give her name. She has not been charged with any offence.
Mr Brown said: “Since Ollie’s death, we have been contacted by others who have spoken of four similar incidents recently.
"We have also heard of how dog owners on Hampstead Heath are very intimidated by Staffordshire terriers and their owners, and that there have been other attacks on the Heath too.
“We’d like to have an open discussion as to what measures could be put in place to make it better for all – including the Staffs and their owners.
"This is a social issue, too. We need as a community to confront the reasons why people want aggressive dogs.”
Camden’s community safety chief Labour Councillor Abdul Hai said: “We support the idea of compulsory chips in all dogs.
"In relation to dangerous dogs, I believe intervention and being proactive to deal with these issues is vital.
“Owners should be made to go through a training course before they can have dogs like these, to show they can be responsible and know how to care for their pets properly.”
Chief Inspector Dionne Mitchell of Camden Police said: “There is legislation that can lead to prosecutions if dogs attack humans, but it currently does not cover dogs attacking other animals.”
(Camden New Journal - July 19, 2012)
