A MUM is mourning the loss of her cat who was mauled to death by a pit-bull-type terrier.

Maureeen Warren, of Shakespeare Road, Higham Hill, is devastated that 19-year-old 'Paddy-Whack' lost his life prematurely because of an irresponsible owner who failed to keep the dog under control.

The mum-of-one said: “We are all upset because he was just lying there minding his own business and they must have opened the gate and the dog got him and that was it. He was old but I didn't want him to go like this.”

She added: “It happened so quickly, it could have been a child who was attacked. I just want to warn other people.”

The long-haired moggie was found at about 11.45pm last Thursday by Mrs Warren's neighbour, Jill Lainchbury, after she heard “a commotion” in the street.

She said she went outside and saw two young boys trying to restrain a tan-coloured pitbull-type terrier which was up on its hind legs.

She said the hooded youths walked casually down the street, but when she stepped onto the pavement she found the limp cat close to death and cradled him in her hands before he died.

She said: “I thought, “this can't be happening”, because he was such a lovely cat known to all the neighbours for many years. I was devastated and really upset.

“It was a big dog and should have been muzzled. I can't understand people.”

Miss Lainchbury said she called out to the owner who admitted the dog had attacked the cat, but just walked off. She has reported the incident to the local authority's dog warden in the hope the owner can be traced.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is an offence to have a dog dangerously out of control in public and pit-bull-type terriers must be muzzled and walked by someone aged 16 or over.

Owners must also ensure the dog is registered, neutered, microchipped, tattooed and insured.

Mrs Warren, whose friend also had a dog “ripped to shreds” by a pit-bull-type in Higham Hill Park, said she would support tougher laws on dog owners.

She said: “They were young boys in hoodies with caps and I think they were just out to have fun. Maybe the dog didn't mean to do it but they didn't hang around to say sorry.

"All these types of dogs should be muzzled like they are supposed to.”