Margate woman calls for tougher measures against owners whose dogs kill pets after cat killed by rampaging huskies
05:00, 10 October 2021
updated: 14:16, 11 October 2021
The owner of a beloved moggie that was mauled to death by a pair of rampaging huskies has called for tougher measures against owners whose dogs kill cats.
Stacie Goddard, 27, was one of the shocked residents who woke to the animals roaming the Dane Valley area of Margate, jumping over gardens and chasing terrified moggies.
A neighbour broke the devastating news that Lilly - her autistic daughter Aurora's therapy cat - had been killed by the huskies.
She had earlier looked on Facebook where she saw posts about two dogs killing a cat in her road.
"I went downstairs and luckily one of my cats was in the garden, the other cat was in bed but my Lilly didn’t come - which wasn't a complete surprise," Ms Goddard said.
But as she, her four-year-old daughter Aurora and her son Stephen, three, were getting in the car, a neighbour pressed her Ring doorbell button.
"We rushed to the front door and a lady said she thought it was my cat," she added. "That’s when my heart sunk.
"I went into my neighbour’s garden where my poor Lilly was absolutely torn to pieces and absolutely lifeless on the floor.
"I scooped her up in my arms and she had been used as a ragdoll.
"As I was holding her and crying, I turned around and my children were standing there. They didn’t realise she was dead and they were trying to call her."
The death of the 16-year-old cat had a devastating impact on her daughter.
"We adopted Lilly who was especially designed for Aurora to calm her down when she got upset," Ms Goddard added.
"She would brush Lilly and it would help stimulate her. But since her death, she has not been the same - it’s been horrendous."
Ms Goddard contacted police about the incident on the morning of August 11, but officers said no criminal offences had been reported despite other cats and rabbits being killed in the shocking rampage.
The mum-of-two has since launched a petition calling for tougher measures against pet owners whose dogs injure or kill cats.
Jacqui Cuff, Cats Protection’s head of advocacy and government relations, said it is vital police record these attacks as crimes and take action.
"Currently there is a specific reference to preventing dog attacks on cats as part of anti-social behaviour measures issued by the government," she said.
"These take the form of community protection notices that are issued wherever there is concern within a local community an individual is not controlling their dog and the dog might have attacked and/or injured or killed cats.
“We would urge local authorities to make full use of these notices to crack down on dog attacks.
"We would also like to see the government introduce a specific offence within legislation on dangerous dogs to allow the prosecution of dog owners whose dogs attack, injure or kill cats.
"Though the vast majority of dog owners are responsible and keep their dogs under control, it’s vital we strengthen the law to deter dog attacks on cats."
A police spokesman confirmed they received a number of reports that two dogs had escaped from a property and attacked other animals but such incidents constitute civil matters.
"Officers attended to ensure there was no risk to any members of the public and established that the dogs were back with their owner, who was visited and given advice around keeping his animals secure," they said.
"No criminal offences or injuries to members of the public have been reported."
Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.
