Cat ‘mauled to death’ by dogs
OWNER SAID ‘GENTLE GIANT’ DAVE WAS FOUND IN PIECES OUTSIDE HOME
A FAMILY cat has been “mauled to death” by two dogs left unattended and off their leads in Brentford.
Dave the cat, who was about 12 years old, belonged to Graham Smith and his family, who adopted him when residents nearby moved and left him behind.
Graham said Dave was a “dearly loved” member of the family and that he was a “gentle giant”.
On Saturday November 27, at around 6am, Graham was awoken by a noise outside his house, so he went outside to investigate.
“I went to open the door and I couldn’t because there was a large dog in my garden path snarling at me,” he said.
“I went upstairs and I opened the blinds and I could see another one lying on the grass outside.”
Graham said the dogs were large terriers the size of pitbulls and that one was white while the other was grey or beige.
After seeing the dogs, Graham went back to bed for an hour or so before getting back up.
He said: “It was light by then and I went outside and of course there’s
Dave lying on the grass where the dog was lying down.”
Graham described the shocking scene of finding “gentle giant” Dave “in pieces” on the grass with his “intestines everywhere”. Graham and his family believe the two dogs they saw are to blame for killing Dave, given they were seen acting aggressively just an hour earlier, exactly where Dave was found.
“It’s one of the worst things I’ve ever seen,” Graham said. “I had to pick his intestines up and put them back inside him so I could get him in a bag - it was awful.”
Graham’s house is not far from the Brent Lea Recreation Ground, which is very popular with dog walkers.
He believes the dogs must have been let off their leads in the park, before making the short journey to his home where they “trapped” unassuming Dave.
After speaking to his local community about the incident, Graham learned that a dog matching the description was seen “bothering people” and acting “aggressively” around the same time Dave was savaged to death.
Graham did not see any owners with the dogs, so it is unclear at this time who they belong to or if they belong to the same individual.
Graham and his family are concerned that such violent dogs are being let off their leads in his local area, adding: “People know their dogs and they know what their temperaments are – it’s irresponsible.
“There’s been other attacks in Brentford recently, there’s been another cat killed.
“There’s obviously an issue with these dogs not being looked after properly, not being controlled.”
Dave’s death was reported to the police who are looking into the incident, but Graham has also turned to social media to warn other locals about the dogs and to attempt to locate the owners.
“I’m very angry about it now, because it could have been a child,” he said.
“He was dearly loved and my wife is immensely upset.
“I can see his face every time I close my eyes to be honest with you – I’m extremely angry about it.”