A heart-wrenching incident unfolded when a beloved and well known cat was attacked by a dog who lived near by and was in the owners control, which led to the cat being put to sleep due to the injuries sustained.

Back in July 2024, the cat was injured but luckily recovered. The owner of the American Akita continued to walk the dog around where the cat lived at the end of the close, even after the attack saying she was told she could walk where she wanted by their Housing Manager, when asked to stop walking around the area.

The dog, on a long, non-retractable leash and without a muzzle was being walked around the close at 2am in September 2025. Shockingly, the owner of the  dog chose not to inform anyone of the attack to find and get the cat any emergency vet care. It was only through CCTV footage that the truth emerged when the cat couldn't be found. Despite immediate veterinary care when he returned four days later by himself, the beloved pet had to be put to sleep because of the injuries sustained. 

It's all down to the fact that there is no specific offence relating to dangerous dogs, to allow prosecution of dog owners whose dogs attack, injure or kill cats. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was amended by the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, which extended the law to cover dog attacks on assistance dogs, but not attacks on other animals.

This tragic event reflects a critical need to re-evaluate and update the Dogs Act 1871 & 1991. Enacted over 150 years ago, the current legislation is unable to adequately address modern-day scenarios involving responsibilities of dog owners. Increased occurrences of such incidents highlight lapses in owners accountability and oversight in dog handling.

We propose a thorough review and reform of the Dogs Act to include stringent measures concerning:

Mandatory use of muzzles/halters alongside using the correct style of harness in public for dogs of large, powerful breeds.
Obligatory incident reporting by dog owners of unprovoked attacks on other animals.
Regular, documented training requirements for owners of large and powerful dog breeds to ensure they can control their pets appropriately. 
Provide said documentation to adoption centres before rehoming, not just standard home/background checks.

Statistics indicate that dog ownership has increased significantly, yet laws have not evolved to reflect the cultural and societal shifts regarding pet responsibility.

By modernising the Dogs Act, we can better safeguard our communities, provide clear guidelines to dog owners, and protect the welfare of animals who may fall victim to unwarranted attacks due to owners negligence to train or control their pets.

This is a call to action: urge lawmakers to revise and update the Dogs Act 1871 and 1991, ultimately fostering a safer, more responsible society for both humans and animals. 

Please sign this petition to demand change and ensure a safer future!!