Woman left powerless as cat savaged

A DEVASTATED pet owner has been left powerless after watching her beloved cat savaged by a dog — just inches away from the canine owner.

The dog pounced on fluffy white 10-year-old moggie Ice at a popular walking spot, near Lower Alt Hill on the Oldham/Ashton border.

The frantic owner, who does not want to be identified, alerted the man but he ran off.

The woman, who has owned fluffy white Ice for 10 years, has since been told by RSPCA and police no criminal offence has currently been committed because it was an “animal-on-animal” attack.

She said: “The man, who had another dog I believe was on a lead, never turned around, which makes me think he knew what had happened.

“Myself and some neighbours went looking for Ice —knowing that he was more than likely dead —and we found his body later that evening near the Limehurst estate.

“I am absolutely gutted. It’s not so much the dog but the owner I blame because the dog was not under adequate control.”

Dog attacks on humans can lead to prosecution for the dog’s owner, but there is nothing under law to punish owners whose pets attack other animals — unless the animal has a previous record of aggressive behaviour. The aggrieved owner is hoping possible CCTV of the incident could help the cause.

Under the Dogs Act 1871, she can complain to a magistrates’ court that the dog is dangerous and not kept under control.

A RSPCA spokeswoman said: “I am sorry to hear about what happened to this cat and my heart goes out to its owner.

“Though it’s very important for dogs to be allowed to exercise off the lead, the law says that they must be under the control of their owners at all times.

“Where there is evidence that proves that the dog’s actions could have been foreseen by their owner then there could be an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act.”