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Original poster

Dog just killed my cat

210 replies

IroningThrone · 19/09/2023 23:30

Heard a commotion in my back garden and stepped out to see a young lad dragging his dog off something in my back garden. He went over the fence and my beautiful little cat was lying dead on the grass. I'm in absolute bits, can't stop crying. I got her as a little rescue kitten ten years ago and she's been with me through so much life stuff. Have a crime number from the police, have no idea how I'm going to tell my family. I don't even know how the dog got into my garden because I have talk fences and a locked gate. Ir doesn't feel real and I just want to give her a cuddle and make her wake up

OP posts:
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6
Garath · 20/09/2023 09:18

You need to contact the police. That could have been a child that was ripped apart.

Daisybuttercup12345 · 20/09/2023 09:19

How awful. Xx

Oooooooooooo1 · 20/09/2023 09:23

Oh my darling I'm so sorry, there are some utter bastards out there unfortunately
You gave her love which she would have known

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Cats
Shade17 · 20/09/2023 09:25

Honestly if I had a dog that killed another animal, I would have it put to sleep, I would feel so bad about it. Once they kill, they're likely to do it again. Dogs should be kept on the leash when out walking.

Sighthounds are programmed to do just that though, as a PP has said they’re not interested in hurting people but go after small furries. If you own a sighthound there’s a very high chance it will kill something at some point, likely things like mice, squirrels, rabbits etc.

What would you do with a cat that killed another animal? Would you have that put down?

KimberleyClark · 20/09/2023 09:36

I’m so sorry. What an awful thing to happen.

The dog might have climbed the fence. Not saying they could climb a tree but a fence with footholds is a possibility.

CrunchyCarrot · 20/09/2023 09:38

Shade17 · 20/09/2023 09:25

Honestly if I had a dog that killed another animal, I would have it put to sleep, I would feel so bad about it. Once they kill, they're likely to do it again. Dogs should be kept on the leash when out walking.

Sighthounds are programmed to do just that though, as a PP has said they’re not interested in hurting people but go after small furries. If you own a sighthound there’s a very high chance it will kill something at some point, likely things like mice, squirrels, rabbits etc.

What would you do with a cat that killed another animal? Would you have that put down?

It's a good question. Whilst I don't like my cat killing mice, shrews, birds, I accept he does that as part of his nature, also he is out freely (my choice to let him roam free and not live indoors). He is also neutered which reduces his inclination to fight. If he actually killed another cat then I would be very upset because I would know how that owner would feel, and yes, I would strongly consider euthanasia or perhaps making him an indoor cat or having an enclosed outdoor run. However I think the likelihood of a cat actually killing another cat is quite small, because of how cats behave in confrontations. Cats are so different from dogs.

I don't have dogs, but there's the option of having your dog on the leash when out, and when home, keeping him or her enclosed in a safe area where they can't get out. If a dog kills small prey then I would try to prevent that happening, but it wouldn't be a case for euthanasia, probably because the mice, squirrels etc aren't owned by anyone. Of course if it was someone's pet rabbit then that would be a different matter, but since I have not been in that situation it's hard to say what the right thing to do would be. Probably would depend on the factors involved.

Yep, difficult question.

Wakintoblueskies · 20/09/2023 09:39

CrunchyCarrot · 20/09/2023 07:06

I am so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful kitty, OP. You really did nothing wrong at all.

Honestly if I had a dog that killed another animal, I would have it put to sleep, I would feel so bad about it. Once they kill, they're likely to do it again. Dogs should be kept on the leash when out walking.

Would you put a cat who killed a bird to sleep?

The issue here is that the dog was not on a leash. The dog owner is responsible not the dog!

DanielsDancingMonkey · 20/09/2023 09:41

i’m so sorry for your loss ♥️

Shade17 · 20/09/2023 09:48

I don't have dogs, but there's the option of having your dog on the leash when out, and when home, keeping him or her enclosed in a safe area where they can't get out. If a dog kills small prey then I would try to prevent that happening, but it wouldn't be a case for euthanasia, probably because the mice, squirrels etc aren't owned by anyone. Of course if it was someone's pet rabbit then that would be a different matter, but since I have not been in that situation it's hard to say what the right thing to do would be. Probably would depend on the factors involved.

As is the case here it’s completely unacceptable for a dog to be getting into someone else’s property and killing a pet, but I think it’s quite different if it’s on the dog’s own property. If a cat comes into my garden it’s going to meet a 30kg 40mph sighthound, now I’d feel terrible if that happened but it certainly wouldn’t be the dog to blame, as far as he’s concerned his sole purpose in life is hunting small animals, it’s been bred into him for 5000 years.

CrunchyCarrot · 20/09/2023 09:51

Shade17 · 20/09/2023 09:48

I don't have dogs, but there's the option of having your dog on the leash when out, and when home, keeping him or her enclosed in a safe area where they can't get out. If a dog kills small prey then I would try to prevent that happening, but it wouldn't be a case for euthanasia, probably because the mice, squirrels etc aren't owned by anyone. Of course if it was someone's pet rabbit then that would be a different matter, but since I have not been in that situation it's hard to say what the right thing to do would be. Probably would depend on the factors involved.

As is the case here it’s completely unacceptable for a dog to be getting into someone else’s property and killing a pet, but I think it’s quite different if it’s on the dog’s own property. If a cat comes into my garden it’s going to meet a 30kg 40mph sighthound, now I’d feel terrible if that happened but it certainly wouldn’t be the dog to blame, as far as he’s concerned his sole purpose in life is hunting small animals, it’s been bred into him for 5000 years.

Yes I very much think circumstances surrounding any incident like that are important in considering what should happen.

oioicheeky · 20/09/2023 09:53

IroningThrone · 19/09/2023 23:35

Thank you. I feel so guilty for letting her out but I thought the garden was a safe space... We put in tall solid fences and a strong lock on the gate. It's my fault I should have kept her in.

I am so, very very sorry.

Guilt can be a normal reaction, but there is just no justification for it here. You did absolutely nothing wrong. She should have been safe in her garden.

Sounds like you loved her very much and gave her a wonderful life. You have nothing to feel guilty for.

I'm so very sorry. Xxxx

Shade17 · 20/09/2023 10:11

Yes I very much think circumstances surrounding any incident like that are important in considering what should happen.

And we don’t even know the circumstances here, they could range from a dog escaping a fenced in garden to being deliberately thrown into the OP’s garden. Knowing won’t help with loss of a beloved pet of course but I could at least understand the former, the latter would be despicable.

afaloren · 20/09/2023 10:20

I’m so sorry OP. I completely understand; my cat was killed by a dog too. In my case it was an elderly woman walking the dog and when it lunged at my cat she couldn’t control it. I’m so sorry for your terrible loss.

FuzzyCaoraDhubh · 20/09/2023 10:23

I'm so so sorry Op. I really am.
That's absolutely awful.
Gentle hugs for you.

AInightingale · 20/09/2023 10:27

I agreed with a guy on the news the other day who said the govt/councils need to licence owners, not dogs. The OP describes a 'young lad'. What the hell is he doing out with a vicious animal that kills other animals, in presumably a suburb? Why does anyone 'need' a lurcher or sight-hound in these areas? There are plenty of dogs suitable as pets. Defeats me why people living in urban areas keep these hunting dogs at all, or are allowed to. They have miserable lives caged up in back yards, and the consequences of them escaping are horrific.

Wakintoblueskies · 20/09/2023 10:35

IroningThrone · 20/09/2023 02:30

He was about 18 or 19- he wasn't a child- old enough to be in control of the dog. The police said there's been reports of people deliberately setting dogs on cats in the area which makes me feel utterly sick.

I can't sleep - the bed feels empty without her ☹️☹️

Show quote history

It’s awful OP. There really are truly bad people out there.

On my local FB page, a lady is offering £1000 for the return of her little cat or even information about him because as above she has been told that people are taking cats to abuse them.

It is beyond sick that this is even a ‘thing’.
Keep your cats close and your dogs on leads!!!

FWIW I don’t think somebody would have put a dog over a fence deliberately. But obviously it was a decision not to have them adequately restrained on a lead.

You did what you could to keep your little cat safe. So many other people declare it’s their cats right to roam. You put up high fences to protect her. You gave her a good, loving home. There was absolutely nothing else you could have done.

Summer2424 · 20/09/2023 10:56

@IroningThrone
I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending you hugs and strength to get through this time 😔❤xx

TheSpikySpinosaurus · 20/09/2023 11:03

I'm so very sorry 💐 that sounds so traumatic.

It wasn't your fault though. At all.

DigbyTheDigger · 20/09/2023 11:11

What a sweet little cat. OP, is it worth asking your next door neighbours about this? I'm presuming that the man was leaving from the direction he'd arrived.

Honeyroar · 20/09/2023 11:19

I’m so very sorry OP. For you and your gorgeous little cat. I’d be beyond devastated too.

So do you think the teen was from next door or just happened to climb into next door as they fled? Whoever they are, what a fucking coward - to let that happen is bad enough, to not come back is worse.

You absolutely did nothing to let your cat down. You had a high fence and locked gate. You couldn’t have done more. Perhaps your cat was in the street and jumped over the fence and the dog followed. It’s pure bad luck. 90% of dogs wouldn’t have been able to jump that fence.

RelativePitch · 20/09/2023 11:30

I am so, so sorry this happened to your beautiful girl. It's my biggest fear for my cat who explores areas where dogs are off lead. For what it's worth, I have a dog with a high prey drive and although she is good with cats she knows, I walk her on a short lead at all times. I wouldn't put anyone's pet or wildlife at risk.

Helenahandkart · 20/09/2023 11:42

I’m so sorry. What an awful thing to happen. So sorry for your and your lovely little cat.

A similar thing happened to me, except my cat survived the attack, and I witnessed it. I contacted the police and the dog warden. The police told me they couldn’t do anything unless a human was attacked. The dog warden told me that they only usually went after dog-on-dog attacks, or dog-on-human attacks. I put a lot of work into reporting it, tracking down the dog owners, getting more witnesses.
In the end I was told that because the only available CCTV footage showed the dog on a lead (which it slipped) and the attack happened in a garden and not on a public road, there was nothing to be done, even though the dog was running loose on a public road immediately afterwards. They even told me that the dog owner blamed it my cat. I was left feeling furious with the injustice of it all, and with over £1000 in vet bills to cover.

The reason for this long story is that I would advise trying to let go of any anger you feel, and any hope for justice, because the chances are you won’t get it and hopefully you can redirect that energy into something more positive.

I really am so very sorry.

Tryingmybestadhd · 20/09/2023 12:12

Please put an appeal for information , contact your neighbours too . Your cat looks like my girl , I lost her 6 months ago too , she was also a rescue and 10 years old , she got hit by a car in por drive , we think it was the postman or a Amazon driver as nobody come this way ( we live very rural ) . I miss her terribly , she was the best cat

Dog just killed my cat
Cresadilla · 20/09/2023 12:15

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry OP 😢 that's so traumatic. She was beautiful 💐

Dare I ask what sort of dog it was? as sadly this is not uncommon now. It should be but it isn't due to the types of dog and types of owner.

So sorry

gogomoto · 20/09/2023 12:56

So sorry to hear this.

6ft is easy for many dogs so entirely possible. My DD's record is 7'6 (neighbours dog in season 3 doors down, he's been done but that doesn't prevent them trying!)

Do report it to the police, there's not a lot they can do but they need to know in case you aren't alone