Family cat dies after being attacked by dog

UNITED KINGDOM -- A FAMILY has been left devastated by the death of a beloved cat after it was attacked by a dog.

Eleven-year-old Casper had to be put down following the attack last week.

His distraught owner Paul Boardman said: “We heard a loud thud and went outside to find a dog had our cat by its throat.

“The dog was not on a lead and the owner had no control over it, she didn’t even seem concerned that it had attacked my cat.

“We eventually persuaded the dog to let the cat go and took him to the vet. Unfortunately he was in such a bad way that we had to have him put down. His jaw bone was broken and his leg had more or less been ripped off.”

Police told the family they can only act if an animal is a danger to humans.

Paul, of Rugby Road in Leigh, said: “We just want something to be done about it because the dog might one day hurt a person. Our youngest Chris is devastated, Casper was his and he is not sleeping at night he is so upset.”

Sandra Green, enforcement manager at Wigan Council, said: “I’m very sorry to hear about this incident. It must have been extremely distressing for the owner of the cat. Unfortunately we do not have legislative powers to take action in cases of this kind.

“However, if we can get contact details of the owner of the dog, our officers will visit the individual and offer them advice and guidance about controlling their pet and being a responsible dog owner.”

(The Bolton News - Oct 4, 2013)