Cat killed by hunt

[OWLIE185]

Did the hunt give prior warning that they would be using that route?
The hunts hounds should have been under full and proper control and should not have attacked the cat or any other animal. It was a drag hunt.
I would suggest that the hunt should have been far more sympathetic and returned the mortal remains of a cat in a more appropriate fashion.
I would suggest that the hunt attempts to compensate the elderly couple for the loss of their much loved pet cat and in future take greater care.

 

[Tharg]

What were the cats owners doing letting an elderly deaf cat roam?

You would never do that with a dog...

 

[Mince Pie]

Mr Atkinson said: 'We just heard a commotion outside and saw the hounds and a huntsman off his horse. He just kept saying ‘I’m sorry.’

The huntsman did apologise, and from that statement it sounds like he did so repeatedly. Whilst I am sorry for the owners unfortunately accidents do happen.

 

[fburton]

>>>Surely the cat will have died as quick and (relatively) painless death as any fox caught by hounds. So what is the fuss about? <<<

This is missing the point by a mile!!! Just because something or someone dies quickly doesn't make their death OK does it??

No of course it doesn't make it OK for the people involved. You have to admit though - a quick death is preferable to one that is drawn out and painful. I know which one I would choose! The point is that the cat will more than likely have experienced exactly the same quick death as a fox caught by hounds. If it's acceptable for a fox, then it's acceptable for a cat too (and vice versa). What the people who loved the cat think about it is another matter entirely!

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

I have to disagree. Whilst the cat has not been 'torn to shreads', it was probably rescued by the huntsman - too late and died of its internal injuries. Having seen many rats killed by my two jack russels, there is very rarely any blood or fur missing. One of my russels was also mauled by a german shepherd. She didn't have a mark on her but had to stay on a drip at the vets for three days and had two punctured lungs. Luckily she pulled through.

Exactly this! My lurchers despatch rabbits in seconds, grab, shake, done. No visable marks at all. Terribly sad for the owners, their cat was precious to them and the hunt responsible clearly lack any sensitivity and compassion. A dog feed bag - bloody idiots.

 

[Shantara]

I own a deaf cat and if it'd happened to mine, I would not just be sad, but bl**dy furious.
Although the loss of life is exactly the same with anything (Fox, cat, horse, human, dog, tiger...whatever) there's more emotion and feeling tied in with a pet.
I don't blame the dogs for killing the cat, I blame the owners who were not able to control them. Who's to say they wouldn't rip a child to bits if it 'panicked' and ran? I know cats more closely resemble foxes, but the idea is the same.

When my dog could hear (I know, 2 deaf animals haha) I could call her off the chase, even sheep. (she's a collie)

Whatever hunt it was should train their dogs better. A family lost a precious pet, because of lack of training.

Poor thing

 

[monkeybum13]

So the owners gave permission to the hunt to use their land, it was a drag hunt so the route of the hunt was known and they allowed their elderly, deaf cat out at this time?

 

[tallyho!]

Crikey almightey, a cat got killed, accidentally, by a passing pack of savage dogs.. how has this turned into a hho argument.....

..... oh i forgot it's xmas

 

[Dizzydancer]

Well i can honestly say i would be devastated if that was my cat. A horrible end to a long life. I am not against fox hunting at all but i wouldn't say a pack of hounds ripping one to shreds or shaking it to death is exactly humane.
Also it would have been nice to inform the owners, i no if my cat doesnt come home at night i worry about her and she is young and fit.
Obviously its an accident but it makes it no better, like others said if they attacked your dog or horse i bet you would be livid.
As for dog food bag that's atrocious.

 

[Quantock-cob]

The attitudes expressed by many on here just sum up to me why i hate hunting in all its forms. Many of you seem to be saying that it was an unfortunate accident that was the fault of the cat owners for letting it roam when the hunt was coming. Can you not appreciate how arrogant that sounds! I know that the hunt feel that they own the countryside and when they are out with their packs of dogs every other countyside dweller should stay well out of their way.
FBurton - your comment that "if it is acceptable for a fox then it is acceptable for a cat" makes me sick. Can you not see that this form of death is indeed not acceptable for any living animal. If it had been one of your pets that was savaged would you be saying, oh well its just like a fox so doesn't matter.
For anyone who finds hunting acceptable, you must also be able to admit that you find the death of a cat/dog/horse by a pack of dogs acceptable. If you find this story disturbing, you should not be supporting the hunt!

 

[LizzyandToddy]

A regrettable accident -but in my opinion an accident it remains. I also can't help but wonder what the cat was doing wandering around outside in the first place if it was both old and deaf.

Either way, my dog once chased the neighbours cat that came into our garden, the cat bolted the fence straight onto the road and was killed. I felt awful and apologised, but it was still only an accident.

Perhaps the huntsman should have been in better control but we can't comment on circumstances without knowing all the facts. They admitted their fault and apologised - not alot more they could have done.

A regrettable end, but an end none the less.

 

[lula]

Terribly unfortunate. Must have been awful for the poor cat and owners. I think I would be pretty upset to have my cat returned in a dog food bag, maybe a cardboard box would have been better but at the least they have the body back and it does look relatively unscathed

it does look remarkably intact doesnt it?

who wants to bet the whipper- in was up all night sewing the cat back together then?

seriously though, i know how id feel if it were my cat that were delivered back to me 2 days ripe in a pedigree dog kibble bag and the deliverer of it would have left with a few hard boots up his backside thats for sure...

 

[Ibblebibble]

I agree with the hunting of vermin, not the hunting of domestic animals, that is the difference Liz66.
The controlled hunting of vermin is needed IMHO, but control is the issue here, it seems that the hunt may not have as much control over the hounds as they should, and this is something that comes up time and time again with our local hunt. They are not allowed to come across the farm because of the horses and cattle, but every year the hounds come on the farm and the hunt can't get them back, all the yelling and hollering winds the horses and cattle up and the hounds are oblivious
There was a story locally a month ago about the hounds a killing a cat in the fields behind a housing estate As much as i agree with hunting i do think the hunt should be more accountable for their actions, as a dog owner i am responsible for my dogs actions but it seems the hunt are not!

 

[lula]

Surely the cat will have died as quick and (relatively) painless death as any fox caught by hounds. So what is the fuss about? Okay, so it is a bit sad for the 'owners' but the cat won't have suffered significantly.

i have to say being ripped apart by hounds doesnt exactly sound like any 'quick and painless' death id chose for my cat

are you the sort of person that thinks having your head cut off with rusty axe sounds like a humane method of state execution too?

 

[Worried1]

Can the bunny huggers please leave the building! If you want to discuss it make your way to the hunting section.

For the record I like cats, I have one. I am in favour of hunting but don't currently hunt.

 

[lula]

A regrettable end, but an end none the less.

what an astute observation.
it is indeed the end for it, The cat is after all.. dead.

 

[Shantara]

Can the bunny huggers please leave the building! If you want to discuss it make your way to the hunting section.

For the record I like cats, I have one. I am in favour of hunting but don't currently hunt.

I hardly think you can call us bunny-huggers for wanting our pets safe and being upset by the death of someone's pet.

Like others have said, what if it was a horse? Horse or cat, they're both pets.

 

[Archina]

Fair enough, accidents happen. What i dont find acceptable is the huntsmans attitude to the incedent! "The cat panicked and ran away which set the dogs off" wtf do you expect a cat to do in that situation? Its not gonna just sit there admiring the view! And to hand the cat back in an old dog food bag is a slap in the face! He should of been grovelling his apologies and being a bit more bl**dy sensitive especially if they did give permission for the hunt to go through their land! What is wrong with people these days??!!

 

[BonneMaman]

Very surprised there was anything left

 

[babymare]

Im sorry my thoughts are with the owners of the cat - those poor poor people my heart goes out to them - how do we feel when we lose a much loved friend - rights or wrong ? I dont know but our thoughts should be for the poor family - they must be utterly devasted to lose thier friend in such a away and not quietly saying goodbye - RIP little one and thoughts to your family xxxx

 

[Ebenezer_Scrooge]

^^^^^^^ agree with this, nobodys pet should be a "casualty" for want of a better word, of any hunt.
To me thats akin to a shooter, missing and hitting your horse, neither should be acceptable

This ^^^^ There is no excuse absolutley horrific poor cat..... I hate the hunt......

 

[Ebenezer_Scrooge]

Surely the cat will have died as quick and (relatively) painless death as any fox caught by hounds. So what is the fuss about? Okay, so it is a bit sad for the 'owners' but the cat won't have suffered significantly.

Oh so it is acceptable then for it happen???????? Shall we do that to people as well?????

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

disgusting this got me crying


no animal should be at risk like this poor little girl

 

[babymare]

I actually find some of comments on here very sad - "regretable accident" "will have died quickly " good god that cat was a family friend a loved animal - dear god show some compassion - that animal was a family cat just like your horses dogs cats etc - please show some compassion

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I actually find some of comments on here very sad - "regretable accident" "will have died quickly " good god that cat was a family friend a loved animal - dear god show some compassion - that animal was a family cat just like your horses dogs cats etc - please show some compassion

^5 this yes show some compasions this poor little cat died needlessly regardless of her her age or wether it was quick . Damn hunt I hate fox y this isnt the first time this has happened I heard of another case.

Obviously some here don't think it matters much that someones beloved cat died at the fate of these bloody dogs.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

A regrettable accident -but in my opinion an accident it remains. I also can't help but wonder what the cat was doing wandering around outside in the first place if it was both old and deaf.

Either way, my dog once chased the neighbours cat that came into our garden, the cat bolted the fence straight onto the road and was killed. I felt awful and apologised, but it was still only an accident.

Perhaps the huntsman should have been in better control but we can't comment on circumstances without knowing all the facts. They admitted their fault and apologised - not alot more they could have done.

A regrettable end, but an end none the less.

why dont u read the article the cat was on her own land why shouldnt she be outside. The hunt were at fault pure and simple. take control on your dogs huint pure and simple . Show some compassion I love cats have 3 if i saw any dog going for any of my cats i would bloody kick that dog into next week fact!

 

[penhwnllys_stardust]

I'm sure I just read the owner saw blood on the floor but in the picture the cat doesn't look 'damaged'?

R.I.P kitty, I hope it was quick x

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I have to agree with Alec on this one, although very sad and I wouldn't want it to happen.
The cat does look rather intact, there doesn't even look to be bite marks anywhere on it. I would have expected some fur missing around the neck area as that is where a predator would go for.

The couple live in the countryside and know that the hunt will pass through, if I lived where I knew the hunt would be coming a fragile cat like that I would keep inside while they were about.

I am defending the hunt on this occasion because they get enough bad press as it is and for once this hunt was legal and it was just a freak accident. Yes ok they should have returned the body with a "sorry" but at least they didn't just discard the body and continue on.

Like someone has already said if the poor kitty had run out in front of a car it wouldn't have got this press attention..


Sorry to the owners but it was a case of wrong place at the wrong time.

totally disagree with this the cat was on her own land , the hunt totally at fault they should be able to call the dogs off they have whistles FGS. I hate hunting real hunting that is and this is another reason why i hate hunting family pets getting killed.

Hunt should be ashamed

THEY OWE IT TO ALL OWNERS OF LAND THEY GO THROUGH TO WARN THEM OR TELL THEY COMING THROUGH SO OWNERS CAN GET THERI PETS SAFETLY INDOORS PERIOD.

 

[babymare]

the dogs were doing what as been bred to them over many years so dont blame the dogs- its not the fault of the dogs and yes it may have been an accident but i wonder about the strength of the hunt that this happened - things happen sometimes and boy I bet the hunt wish it hadnt have happened - but all I ask is people think before thier comments and put selves in the place of family - maybe they may have had to tell a young child the cat had died ( had to to my daughter when someone poisioned our cat when she was young and its the most awful experience- the questions that you try to answer honestly but kindly) so come on forum - this is always a place to get support and kind words so lets have some thoughts for the family on here - dont we always express our kindness to all xx

 

[CorvusCorax]

Re the whole ripping apart thing. Dogs grab cats, rabbits, other small furries, usually, because they are moving fast.
For a lot of dogs, they don't want to rip the animal to shreds or eat it (not immediately, anyway), they just want to grab the moving furry thing to stop it moving away from them and/or carry it in their mouths for a while until they can find somewhere away from other dogs/screaming humans and get stuck in.

Obviously with dogs that exert considerable poundage with their jaws, the crush injuries incurred by biting down on the animal, while they may not cause puncture wounds, break bones and cause internal damage and squeeze oxygen out. With animals like rabbits, they can die of shock before any real physical damage is even done.

Foxes are usually killed by the lead dog relatively quickly, and any tearing and ragging is done by lesser hounds in the pack, once the fox is long dead, gimme that!!!

If the huntsman was able to step in immediately, the lead dog probably still had his 'prize' and it was able to be removed without any ragging, blood or guts.

ETA when I was a teenager my dog killed two of my rabbits. My mistake, I didn't put a bolt home properly on a door. She was alone. After they were dead, she never touched them again (I found the murder scene a few hours later ) and there were no puncture wounds.