Sarah Smith, 39, described how she was inside her house in Simmons Lane, Chingford, when she heard a commotion outside.
Her husband, Martin, 41, went to investigate and found the owner of the dog screaming as the dog attached Mrs Smith’s cat, Jazz.
Mrs Smith said: "It had the cat’s whole head in its mouth, and its jaws had locked. My husband tried to pull the dog’s jaws apart to get the cat free. He was covered in blood."
Mr Smith did eventually free the cat, which was left with serious injuries to its head after the attack on Wednesday July 10.
Although clearly concerned for the cat’s welfare, Mrs Smith said she was more worried about the impact witnessing the attack would have on her children - Imogen, six, Sid, three, and one-year-old Austin - who were watching in horror from the living room window.
She said: “The children were crying hysterically. I don’t know what I would have done if the cat had been killed. I was especially worried about my six-year-old, she could have been traumatised.”
The injured cat was rushed to an emergency vet where it was treated – with Mrs Smith being landed with a £500 bill.
Since the attack she has made frequent attempts to contact police, but has had little or no response.
She said: “I went to Chingford police station the day after the attack, but they just weren’t bothered.
"They said that dogs chase cats all the time, and that it wasn't their responsibility. But it's not just a dog chasing a cat, it's a dog attacking a cat. Someone from the Safer Neighbourhood team came round to take a statement, but I haven’t heard from them since.
"At the end of the day, the lady couldn’t control her dog and it needs to be muzzled. A muzzle costs £5 or £10, but I must pay almost £500 in vet bills.
"Who knows if the dog will attack again? Something has to be done."
(Epping Forest Guardian - July 18, 2013)
