I had a surprise knock at the door yesterday afternoon from two little boys, aged around 10 years old I guess, asking if I owned a cat. I was in the middle of a work call whilst working from home, prior to which I’d noted that my cat Stitch hadn’t been in to see me all day which was very unusual and that I’d go have a quick scout for him after the call. They were trying to describe a cat they had seen and failing miserably but it got me concerned so I ended the call and went looking. I found Stitch dead in some trees.

The boys and their mother had seen it all happen – the owner of a whippet and jack russell had let them roam off their leads and the whippet chased Stitch in to the trees. It had Stitch’s neck in it’s mouth and the owner pulled it off him and walked away without putting the lead back on. It then went back and attacked him again. This time she shouted at the dog and put the lead on it but again left Stitch lying there.

The boys were on their way to school and as soon as they got back home they went looking for Stitch’s owner, and in the time between one of the boys mothers wrapped him in a towel and tried to find out from the Council what to do with him. I’m absolutely disgusted by the actions of the dog owner – beyond anything I can write here – and at the same time very grateful to the lady, her son and his friend. It’s nice to know that, though there are some truly evil people out there, that there are kind people who care for animals and other people.

Stitch did not deserve to die like that at all. He was such a soft cat and one of the greatest companions I could ever have. I will not rest until I find the owner of that dog so that I can give her address to the police, the RSPCA, the Dog’s Trust, the dog warden and anyone else who will listen – she does not deserve to keep animals and is clearly not responsible for them. Not only do I owe it to Stitch but I owe it to his brother to keep him safe and to my fellow neighbours who have cats and children.

RIP Stitch!