Family's heartbreak as cat mauled to death by dogs

Zac Sherratt
BBC News, South East
Laura Racey A black and white cat crouches on the ground. It has a gold bell dangling from its collar. Laura Racey
Five-year-old Nala's was put to sleep after the attack

A heartbroken mother said she had to have her family cat put to sleep after it was mauled by two large dogs.

Laura Racey said she was woken by the sound of her cat, Nala, being attacked on the drive of her home in Burnham Road, Bognor Regis, on Saturday morning.

Nala was so severely injured that vets put her to sleep, she said.

Sussex Police said officers are reviewing the incident and have asked anyone with information to come forward.

Ms Racey said two golden retriever dogs were off their leads when they entered her driveway and attacked five-year-old Nala.

"She ran and hid, we managed to get her out and rushed her to the emergency vets, but we put her to sleep because she wouldn't have made it more than a few hours," Ms Racey told BBC Radio Sussex.

She said she had not told her six-year-old son the extent of Nala's injuries as she does not want him to be fearful of dogs.

"We had Nala since my son was seven months old, so they've grown up together," said Ms Racey.

A fundraising page to cover the £500 vet bills reached its target in 24 hours.

Ms Racey thanked people for their generosity.

Police said they received a report that a cat had been bitten by two dogs, believed to be golden retrievers, on 18 January.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.

Related internet links