Dogs ‘have killed 14 cats’ in Blackwood - owners (From South Wales Argus)

Dogs ‘have killed 14 cats’ in Blackwood - owners

4:20pm Wednesday 5th September 2012 in Gwent news

A pack of dogs are responsible for the deaths of up to 14 pet cats in Blackwood, owners claim.

The four dogs have been roaming around the Penllwyn and Pontllanfraith areas for the last couple of months, with some believing they have already killed around 14 cats.

Distraught pet owners and worried parents have joined a total of 376 people on social networking site Facebook, calling on locals to help police locate the four dog's owners.

It is believed the dogs are two dark Staffordshire bull terriers, a large black labrador and a black rottweiller-type.

Virginia Humphreys, 33, and her three children watched in horror as their beloved pet of five years Misty was savaged on their doorstep.

Mrs Humphreys heard a noise which sounded like Misty was fighting another cat outside their home of Brynteg Avenue, Pontllanfraith.

She said: "I looked out of the window and saw a black labrador-type dog with Misty in its mouth. I was banging on the window, screaming and after what seemed like minutes, it just dropped her and ran off."

Her children Talisha, 14, Katie, 10 and Craig, eight, also witnessed the attack which killed Misty and she added: "It broke their hearts".

The family no longer let their other cat Biscuit and her litter of five kittens out.

Mrs Humphreys added: "There are four dogs in total going round, mainly at night. Around 14 people have lost cats and we have heard about a puppy being attacked and a child.

"Is someone hiding these dogs? People are scared to walk their small dogs and we’re worried a child may be killed next unless they are found."

A group on Facebook has been set up called Protect the Penllwyn/Pontllanfraith Cats. Eleanor Weller posted: "These dogs killed my beloved Tigger last night. Distraught doesn’t anywhere near describe how I’m feeling right now."

A spokesman for Gwent Police said officers investigating the matter are patrolling the area regularly and working with locals and Caerphilly council to tackle the issue.

Anyone with information should call 101 or email blackwood@gwent.pnn.police.uk