Beryl Huk, 83, was sitting quietly at home when her neighbour called round to tell her Toby had been attacked by a dog on the driveway.
The neighbour had been talking with a friend on her drive when she witnessed what she described as a "mastiff cross" dog pounce on the sleeping cat, before "giving it a good shake".
She added that the animal was with a woman but was not on a lead.
Toby was so seriously injured he had to be put down, leaving Mrs Huk with a £400 veterinary bill.
She said: "Unfortunately Toby was too badly injured to be saved. I would have given my last penny to save him, as he was a much-loved pet."
Mrs Huk bought Toby as a kitten and he had been a firm fixture in the family for 16 years.
Her daughter, Julie Glover, said: "Mum has been torn apart by this.
"She is having to receive treatment from the doctor as she is very depressed about the loss of Toby.
"She is not eating or sleeping and I'm very worried about her.
"My dad, Philip, suffers from dementia and Mum has to care for him around the clock. She rarely gets to go out because he can't go with her and, for her, Toby was a real companion because Dad's condition is so bad.
"So when she found out about Toby it broke her heart. She took him to the vet and pleaded with him to do what they could but it was too late.
"Mum has been to the doctor's over and over again since this happened because she is so upset. She has so many other stresses as well."
Mrs Glover is concerned that something should be done about the situation.
She said: "This could have been a child or a toddler on the driveway. A decent-sized cat is the same size as a baby. When the owners of animals are so irresponsible anything can happen."
Mrs Glover reported the incident to the police but she said she was told nothing could be done as the dog had attacked another animal.
Mrs Huk said: "This is really disgusting. It means that Toby lost his life and nothing can be done."
The police were unable to comment on the incident.
But a spokesman said that anyone with information should call them on 0345 123 3333 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
(Derby Telegraph - Sept 26, 2012)
