Cat owners claim group of teens are killing pets
Surrey Police said it had received two reports of cats being "taunted or harmed" by a group of boys
At a glance
Pet owners in Surrey say a group of teenagers are trapping their cats to allow their dogs to kill them
Surrey Police say they have had two reports of cats being taunted or harmed by a group of boys
A petition signed by 3,675 people is calling for more action from the RSPCA and police
- Published
Cat owners in Surrey claim a group of teenagers are trapping their pets for dogs to attack.
Surrey Police said it was aware of two reports of cats being "taunted or harmed" by a group of boys around the Claygate and Chessington areas.
It said in both incidents "dogs were involved and chased the cats".
No arrests have been made.
A petition signed by 3,675 people is calling for more action from local police and the RSPCA to stop the attacks, which it claims have been going on "for months".
Natalie Harwood, who launched the petition, said she was told by an anonymous phone call that her cat Frank had been "ripped apart by dogs" near Surbiton Golf Club.
She said: "We've had him since the day he was born, he was only two and a half years old and we are absolutely heartbroken".
Ms Harwood said she had received reports of boys "trying to pull cats from under cars", climbing up trees after cats or using rakes to hit the animals down from trees "towards their waiting dogs".
The petition claimed that witnesses and video footage had captured the attacks but "the police and the RSPCA don't do anything".
Natalie Harwood said she spent weeks searching Surbiton golf course after her cat Frank went missing
Surrey Police said it "was aware of ongoing antisocial behaviour in the area on and around the golf course" and it was working closely with the Metropolitan Police to share information across borders.
The golf club's manager said trespassing issues had been reported to police and the club had invested £100,000 in security fencing but the issues were happening "outside of club operating hours".
An RSPCA spokesperson described the attacks as "very upsetting and distressing".
In a statement the charity said: "We would like to remind dog owners that they have a legal responsibility under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to keep their dog under control in a public place. This legislation is enforced by the police."
They advised anyone with serious concerns about animal welfare to contact them.
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