A cat was savagely attacked and killed by two dogs in front of a nine-year-old schoolboy.

Owner Lesley Stevens reported hearing a commotion outside her home in the Fairway, West Molesey, and rushed out to find her cat being “torn apart” by two bull-terrier-type dogs.

She said: “He was bleeding and in obvious pain. He’d had his throat ripped out. The vet couldn’t do anything to save him.”

Mrs Stevens said the two dogs were not on leads, and  their owner “didn’t care at all”.

Eighteen-year-old Snippet, who was given to Mrs Stevens by her daughter and adored by her grandchildren, was attacked as he slept under a bush in the front garden sometime between noon and 12.45pm on Tuesday, September 15.

After speaking to the police the same day, officers visited the Stevens several days later, but told her there was nothing that could be done.

Surrey Comet:

A nine-year-old neighbour of the Stevens family who witnessed the ferocious attack through his bedroom window, has been too terrified of letting his own 18-year-old cat out of their house.

Mrs Stevens said: “It could’ve been a small child. It could have been my two-year-old granddaughter out there.

“It seems so unfair. It’s just irresponsible.

“They [pets] should not have to end their life that way. How do you get through to people?”

Jacqui Cuff, from the Cats Protection charity, said: “In the first six months of this year, one cat each week has been reported in the press as being the victim of a dog attack – sadly 70 per cent of these attacks resulted in the death of the cat.

“Cats Protection is calling for a new offence within legislation in instances where a dog that is out of control attacks a cat or other animal.

“Current laws are inadequate and successful prosecutions against those owners who fail to control their dogs are hard to secure.

“There are reported cases where a dog has attacked a cat and then gone on to attack a child, so we hope that these new preventative measures will be used to prevent future tragedies.”  

A Surrey Police spokesman said: “The West Molesey safer neighbourhood team are aware of this incident and are making further enquiries.”

Anyone who witnessed the attack or has information should call Surrey Police on 101, quoting crime reference number 45150083352 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Has your cat been attacked or killed by dogs? Was enough done? Call Rachel Dickerson on 020 8722 6313 or email rachel.dickerson@london.newsquest.co.uk