Steve,

SORRY, I think my anguish in the terms of sarcasm in the first sentence has misguided you. I agree with everything you say...

I did not actually mean dogs can run loose...I was trying to use that sentence with a degree of sarcasm. What you say is absolutely correct...how often do we hear of someone being savaged by a cat....how often do you have to jump back in fear when you go to stroke a cat; whereas there is always a risk in doing so for a dog.

No Steve, I am appalled, sickened and disgusted. The dog, having demonstrated a killer instinct needs to be managed at all times....it has had its first strike....that is all any animal should be allowed.

So apologies if my message was lost in the anger....I agree with you entirely

I dont know why my post from yesterday hasn't been displayed?????

@ Steve

Some dogs have a prey drive that is difficult to control. Just like you cannot control a cats prey drive when they prowl around preying on and killing wildlife. If someone has deliberately set their dog on a cat, then the owners of the dog need to be severely punished, but you CANNOT blame the dog for this. If people let their cats roam around the streets then they are at risk of injury from other cats, dogs, traffic etc. Saying the dog needs to be destroyed is absolutely ridiculous, next thing you'll be saying 'It could be a child next!!!!!'

Previous poster you are completely missing the point. Cats are by nature very independent, friendly and non aggressive towards humans and indeed towards dogs, so are entitled to roam free. Dogs due to their unpredictable nature towards humans and other animals particularly cats, must by law be kept on a lead when in a public place, this dog was clearly not. This helpless creature suffered a cruel and painful death due to the aggressiveness of the dog and the disregard of it’s owners. I believe the dog should be destroyed and the irresponsible owners given a hefy fine.

Spot on Realist...let the dog run loose though! You miss the whole point, the dog should not have been free to roam, worse still, much as I am bitterly upset for the sad way this pet was killed, what if the attack had been against a child; an attack to the face for example.

Having seen one of my cats ripped apart by a dog, there is a clear difference. Cats can usually inflict minimal damage to a person whereas an attack by a dog can cause death; perhaps it is the dog which should have been kept on a lead etc.

For Mrs Lippe, as an animal lover (cats and dogs) I am so sorry that this has happened; a very tragic end for your cat and so unnecessary.

Destroy the dog?? No way. Dogs chase cats just as cats chase mice.! I have a dog and he will chase a cat. its not something that I want him to do and its not something I condone but it something that happens. I also have a niece that plays with teddy's and he has never once looked at the teddy like it may be a cat! (that's just daft) you should train you cat not to go away form your street. If a dog was found wondering that far away from home it would end up being taken to the kennels...

im a cat and a dog lover, the dog should NOT be put down, it is just natural instinct for most dogs to attack a cat. if cat owners dont want to take this risk keep your cats indoors, simple.

what!Keep cats on a lead!!! Its DOGS supposed to be on leads remember, or was it on a lead and the owner just watched.

I have to agree with 'Realist' unfortunately for this person and her poor cat, a dogs prey drive is hard to control. I constantly have to check my garden for cats before I let my dogs outside, if they actually managed to catch one I dont think it would get away alive. If someone has deliberately set their dog on the cat then that is a horrendous thing to do, but still, you cant blame the dog.

And to assume that a dog that would attack and kill a cat would do the same thing to a child carrying a teddy is quite ridiculous. I wouldnt trust my dogs round cats but they are wonderful with my children. Why would this lady want the dog destroyed?? Her cat probably went prowling around killing birds and small mammals.

i agree with the comment,keep pesky cats inside and dont let them roam,if my dog craps in the street then rightly i would be prosecuted but what about cat owners that let their stray moggies crap everywhere,where kids are playing and in peaoples gardens

Why destroy the stray dog? Your cat was a stray doing what cats do best; killing birds and mice. I am really sorry about your cat and the dog shouldn't have been roaming the streets. But it's only natural for the dog to do what it did.