A horrified couple have been injured after trying to stop two out of control Staffordshire bull terriers from savagely killing their beloved pet cat.
The two dogs were being walked unleashed by their owner down a residential street when they caught and killed a popular and well known local cat called Morgan.
The small black cat was in fact an Ealing Gazette cat, having been homed to the Jeatts after they saw him in a ‘pet needing homes’ column in October 2001.
His owners, Kim and Matthew Jeatt, Coldershaw Road, Hanwell, who are in their 50s, desperately tried to save Morgan who was 15, from the two dogs who had chased him onto their drive, but the uncontrolled dogs caught him and killed him.
In the process Mr Jeatt was bitten and sustained a fractured thumb, whilst Mrs Jeatt, in trying to pick up a badly traumatised Morgan, was scratched on her eye and face. They have both now received tetanus injections and antibiotics after spending over three hours in hospital after the attack.
Mr Jeatt said: “It was absolutely horrific. They were being walked off their leads at 3.30pm when our road is full of children. Morgan always sits on the pavement to greet everyone who walks passed and often toddlers will sit with him. He talked to more neighbours than we did. These dogs saw him and immediately went for him. They caught him on our drive under the car. I wish I could have fought them off. I tried, but I really don’t advise going face to face with two snarling Staffies. Their owner was then trying to hit them with big chains which I guess were their leads. He was swinging the chains wildly and was actually hitting Morgan. He had no control over those dogs whatsoever. He was abusive and afterwards just walked away.
“I am still in shock. We had called the police and eventually (too late) six officers turned up basically saying they couldn’t really do anything. It was a terrifying ordeal and we are just heart broken that Morgan met his end like this. It should not have happened. Dogs like this must be on leads at all times. It is not the dogs’ fault. Dangerous dogs have dangerous owners and there must be tougher controls. I have written to the council, our MPs and councillors to see if there’s anything that can be done as we do not feel safe in our own street. We have also now made a statement to the police.”
Kim Jeatt said: “I have never seen so much blood. All over our driveway in the hallway and our front room. By the time we got Morgan away from the dogs he was in a hell of state. He was still alive but only just. I managed to get him in his cat box and rushed straight for the vets but when we got there he was dead. We feel absolutely bereft. He was not only a family cat but a real community cat. Everyone knew him.”
Supportive neighbour Magda Andronic said: “We are absolutely shocked that something like this can happen to anyone’s pets. The idea that dogs are being walked off lead in residential areas full of pets, children and people is appalling, especially when we have legislation in place that should prevent this.
“We are emailing all the local councillors in support of the cat owners. We would like to know what action is being taken to enforce the dangerous dogs act. The cat owners were also injured by the dogs when they tried to save their cat.”
In comments on the Northfields Friends Facebook page many people living in the area have reacted with shock and sadness.
Ciara Ellen wrote: ‘I met an elderly lady in the bunny park whose spaniel was attacked by two staffs off leads. The owner grabbed the dogs and ran. The spaniels injuries were life threatening. The lady spent £2000 getting him sorted. I wonder if he was the same man.’
Zoe Karen wrote: ‘Both dogs are quite big Staffies one white with brown the other brindle and are never on leads. I don’t want a hate campaign towards the dogs as this is totally the responsibility of the owner. If you see them off leads avoid if you have a dog with you and please report it so this doesn’t happen again. Poor Morgan was a lovely little cat that used to sit there all day saying hello to anyone that passed.’
getwestlondon has contacted the police for a statement.
