A cat owner has called for dog owners to keep their pets on a lead after her cat was attacked in its front garden in Bodian Way, Grimsby. Fourteen-year-old Poppy's injuries included “horrific” bites, crushed internal organs and a broken leg and despite veterinary treatment, she had to be put to sleep after a week.
Poppy's owner, Caron Musson, 45, said the cat was waiting outside for her son, Owen, 16, to return home from school. She described how the off-lead Staffordshire bull terrier barked as it entered the garden, grabbing Poppy as she jumped up on the fence to get away. Ms Musson said: “My other son, Jordan, 19, heard the commotion and had to grab Poppy's back legs so the dog didn't shake her to death.
“I am disgusted that the dog was loose – all dogs should be under control in public places.” She said a man, possibly a friend of the dog's owner, intervened, resulting in the dog letting go, while the owner “looked on”.
The dog's owner returned to apologise two days later but gave a false name and address.
Vet Agata Tiszler said Poppy began to eat a little before taking a turn for the worse. Calling Poppy's injuries “horrific”, she explained: “She suffered from massive anaemia – a decrease in the number of red blood cells – and we couldn't give her a blood transfusion because she was too week.
“We also had to open up her abdomen because her intestines had ruptured.
“In the majority of animals we see with injuries caused by a dog, the culprit is usually a Staffordshire bull terrier.”
She added that she believes all dogs should be on a lead or at least muzzled if off lead.
Dog trainer Susan McKeon, who owns Puppy School North Lincolnshire, said: “Most dogs have a prey drive, however, with positive training and responsible dog ownership, a dog can learn 'impulse' control when around a highly arousing stimulus - such as a cat.
“Dog owners have a moral and legal responsibility to ensure their dogs are under control in a public place.
“Under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) if a dog is deemed to be 'dangerously out of control' in a public place you can be liable for prosecution and your dog could be destroyed.
Ms McKeon said that dog attacks on animals, especially on private property, are not covered by the law.
She added: “It is very easy to label the bull breeds as dangerous dogs, however this is misleading.
“All dogs, regardless of their breed, have the ability to bite, attack and cause damage.”
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