A mum-of-three has been left devastated after a dog got into her garden and mauled her beloved cat – just days after she says it charged at her and her baby.

Rebecca Jeffs, 39, says her family was woken by a commotion in the back garden of their home in Wife of Bath Hill, Canterbury, in the early hours and saw the Staffie-type dog running loose.

They then found their 17-year-old cat Scoot lying in the grass motionless having been savagely attacked.

He was rushed to a vet but had to be put down because his spine had been broken, leaving him paralysed.

Just a week earlier, Ms Jeffs says she had to dash into her house after the same dog came charging towards her as she sat in her back garden holding her 15-month-old baby son, Harry.

She said: “It was lucky I was so close to the back door and could get inside quickly.”

Part-time support worker Ms Jeffs says the death of Scoot has left the family distraught.

She said: “We got him 15 years ago from a rescue centre and he was lovely.

“To see him lying there covered in blood was horrible. I tried to revive him by giving him the kiss of life. My sons Perry and Nicky have grown up with him and are heartbroken.

“I reported it to the police and the RSPCA but nothing seems to be happening.

“The police have apparently tried to speak to the owner of the dog. The RSPCA say they will come and take a statement from me, but haven’t yet.

“I thought there were new powers to crack down on dangerous dogs because my fear is that it will attack a child”

RSPCA spokesman Andy Robbins said a local inspector said: “We have received a call alleging a cat was killed by a dog on the London Road estate. We are currently investigating the matter.”

A police spokesman could only say that the dog owner “had been spoken to”.