Fuck, fuck, fuck! The dogs have just had the cat.

[DooinMeCleanin]

I've not stopped shaking since it happened. I'm sat at work now, still shaking.

I don't exactly know what happened. I was putting washing in when I heard what I thought was Devil Dog in the front window having a go at a passing dog. When I got in the room all three dogs had the cat surrounded. Whippet bolted as soon as I got in the room and hid under a table. I didn't see her have hold of the cat so I don't know how involved, if at all, she was.

Devil Dog and the greyhound had him between them like he was a tug toy. I couldn't get them both off him at once. I'm afraid to say I kicked one of them. I think it was Devil dog, I'm not sure. I was panicking and reacted without thinking. I somehow managed to get them off him and locked them out.

He ran behind the tv, I was sure he'd gone to die. When I managed to get all of the furniture moved to get him out, he is fine. Not a mark on him. They bit me in the process but only bruised me.

They had ample time to kill him, surely? They must have hold of him for at least 60 seconds. Was it a game gone too far? Why now? They've been with me for ages. The grey has only ever barked at the cat before, she has never seemed aggressive, just
Playful. Devil hasn't shown any aggression towards the cat for at least 18 months, if not longer, and has never done anything this bad before.

I don't know where to go from here. If it was just the grey involved I'd send her back and continue fostering other cat friendly dogs, but where can I send an aggressive terrier with an expensive skin condition where he will not languish in kennel for months or years.

Having him pts is not an option. I can try and train them, but what if it doesn't work?

I have a trusted friend, who has lived with me and cat before, and would take him in, but he's my cat. I don't want to rehome him either. He was there first.

I am still shaking. I feel sick. I can't think. I need someone to tell me what to do.

[Elibean]

Oh lovey, you must be almost as traumatized as the cat

I am no use at all on dog/cat stuff, so until someone else comes along who is - get yourself a strong drink/cup of sugary tea: you are in shock.

I have no clue, but wonder if maybe Devil would have held back if the grey hadn't been interested in cat-tugging? Or rather, if he wouldn't have instigated or followed through on it all alone? If there is no mark on the cat, it does sound a bit like over the top rough play - but obviously not ok, nonetheless.

Bumping for you.

[TheVampireEmpusa]

No advice here, but lots of love. At least the cat is ok, not seriously hurt, so focus on that for now.

[Northernlurker]

Oh dear - how horrible.

Firstly I would be inclined to take the cat to the vet anyway just to be sure. Cats are good at keeping up a front, best to be sure.

I suspect there's a pack element to this so moving on one or other of the dogs could help. Doesn't sound like the whippet was bothered and anyway - I don't know what their mouth is like but surely they aren't as much of a threat to a cat as a terrier and a bigger dog like a greyhound?

I'm sure someone will be along soon with better advice.

Make yourself a hot drink - big shock for you.

[TheOriginalFAB]

NL has said what I was going to say, I definitely think you should get the cat checked out by a vet. They are very clever at hiding how they are feeling, FABCat had a stroke and hid the effects totally from us.

I have no idea what to suggest as I have no experience of dogs but you can't rehome your cat or let her live in fear.

[DooinMeCleanin]

I'm at work now. I have sugary pop but no hot drinks. Cat is five with dh. Dogs are in the back of the house.

[Elibean]

Then sugary pops it is, until you can get your paws on a hot drink/stiff whisky.

[CalatalieSisters]

How horrible. Poor you, and poor cat. JRT books and websites quite often have tales of cat and dog living happily together for years and then something like that happening -- often with the cat being killed. Any little thing can start the predator instincts going, and of course for the dog there isn't the same clear distinction as there is for us between a "game" and a full-on attack. It might seem horrendous to us, but for them, it is all of a piece with their normal play.

Unfortunately I would imagine that they can't be trusted not to do it again. But don't let your thoughts rush ahead too much right now when you have had such an awful shock. Make sure they are separated or supervised and take time to calm down a bit: it may be that there are ways in futureof giving the cat her own space when the dogs are not supervised?

[MollyintheMoon]

Poor cat. I don't see how you can risk this happening again. It sounds like your only option at this point is to re-home one of the dogs.

I hope somebody comes along with a way to train the dogs but could you (or the cat) ever relax?

[miacis]

Oh s**t DMC. I SOOO feel for you. We've just had the week from hell. Adopted a rescue lurcher v recently (cat friendly) started introducing the cat and the reaction was on a squirrel scale. Persevered but didn't want to traumatise cat too much. Dog still far too interested. Rescue suggested dog return to them so she is going back.

We are all totally devastated but cat was here first. Dog is a wonderful dog but I don't think I could ever trust her with the cat. I'm afraid reading your post has just confirmed this for me.

As for what you can do - no brilliant ideas - perhaps ensure cat has bolt holes/high up escape routes and a safe room/area?

Personnally I just couldn't live with the thought of constant worry about the dog/cat. You'll know in your heart.
Tough one

[DooinMeCleanin]

They'll never be left alone again. Cat already has safe spaces and access to dds room.

I have no idea what to do for the best.

[mycatsaysach]

has cat been to vets??

greyhounds aren't really great with cats.if i was you i wd rehome cat - not fair on it at the mo.

[Rhinestone]

No 'dog with cat' experience, just wanted to say so sorry. Let us know that your cat is ok.

[ChickensHaveNoEyebrows]

So sorry. No experience or words of wisdom, but just wanted to offer a sneaky

[DooinMeCleanin]

Cat has been checked over by vet nurse who was happy he is fine and he's eaten a small meal and had drink.

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

SO sorry Dooin, that all sounds shitty. I think the problem is having several dogs, dogs do things as a pack that they would never do alone, they behave totally differently.

It is so hard to know what to say, it could never happen again, it could happen again tomorrow.

If they were all mine, I wouldn't be getting rid of any of them. I would be aware that I was taking a risk though.

[RedwingWinter]

I'm so sorry to hear that this has happened, and glad that the cat is okay. It could have been worse, and the fact that it's not suggests some restraint - but it's still not acceptable, of course.

I don't have any advice for you either but it sounds like you handled it really well. Are you okay too, is it just bruises from when you got bitten?

Thinking long-term, is it possible to keep them all but keep them separate when no one is there to supervise them?

[chocolateyclur]

Oh crap. I hope cat is ok.

Pack mentality or pure over excitement maybe? I have 2 dogs and 2 cats. Old dog is senile. Other dog is a lovely natured, wouldn't hurt a fly sort of girl - but very occasionally after mass overstimulation (someone knocking on door for ages for example) she will go hyper and attack senile dog. It's happened 4 times in 5 years, but it's enough to worry me. If we're at home she is out with the other animals. If we're out, she has her own secure room just in case.

I hope you can find resolution.

[DooinMeCleanin]

Yes they can be kept separate or supervised. The cat tends to hang about the living room anyway and the dogs aren't usually allowed in there unless we are there.

[ImCoveredInBeeeees]

God that sounds so awful for you. Glad the cat is okay. Just wanted to say don't feel bad for doing what you had to to get the dogs off the cat. I'm sure they're none the worse for it, and probably wouldn't have let go without a sharp shock to break the pack mentality and excitement. I second what other posters have said about multiple dogs together doing things that a single dog would never do. They egg each other on.

Also hope you're okay from where you were bitten.

[chickchickchicken]

dooin - take time to reflect and get over the shock and then trust yourself to do what's best for all the animals. from all your posts its obvious how much you care for them all and any decision will be made with love and consideration for their welfare

[spiderlight]

Oh, how horrible - nothing useful to add but I really do feel for you :(

[Fluffycloudland77]

Oh dear, my first thought was pack mentality too. Poor you and the cat! If it was us we would rehome either the cat or the dogs because I just couldn't bear to see the cat hurt.

Do you have small dc? I would worry about it escalating if you do but I am only theorising as we only have cats. (prepares to be told I'm wrong by expierienced dog owner).

I bet the cat gives them all a wide berth from now on anyway after being a live tug of war toy.

[bumpybecky]

oh Dooin how frightening :(

glad the cat has been checked out and is ok, must have some of it's lives left :)

[Joolyjoolyjoo]

How horrid for you, Dooin

I have seen this happen, sadly, often when there is more than one dog. I've even known one of my clients' (small) dogs being killed by a group of the rest. It's a horrible experience, and I feel for you.

I don't think you need to act in haste, as you say they can feasibly be kept separate when you are not there. Who knows how these things start. It could just have been a chase which went too far, as the dogs got overexcited and were urged on by the excitement of the others. I would say they definitely can't be trusted to be together unless you are present. I would wait and see the cats reaction over the next few weeks. It my start showing signs of stress, or hiding away, which isn't really fair, and then you might have to think about rehoming someone, but that would be a tough choice. Really sorry this has happened, and I'm sure you'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

[DogsBeastFiend]

Nothing I can add except perhaps PM ScuttleButter as she's well versed in coping with dogs who have high prey drives, being a Sighthound owner herself?

I'm so sorry matey, you must be in a real pickle, as would I be. Hope you're feeling a little calmer by the time you get to read this, take care.