Cat mauled to death by Co. Down hunt hounds
The police and local dog warden have been made aware of the death of a cat which was mauled by hunt hounds at the weekend in Kircubbin, Co. Down in Northern Ireland. The story sparked local outrage when it hit the headlines earlier this week.
The seven year old cat was attacked outside her house when 10 hounds from the North Down hunt invaded the garden of her home. The hounds mauled the cat, named Sophie, to death after she was dragged out of her cat house in her garden by one of the hounds.
Her owner who wishes to remain anonymous has spoken of her anguish and the distress of losing a much loved pet in this way. She said, “All the dogs rounded on her. I waded amongst them – it was horrible. I tried everything but the time I got her away from the dogs it was too late.”
Commenting on the hunt she elaborated, “The guy with the red jacket sat on his horse and I didn’t see him at any time make a move to get off his horse to come and get the dogs back. He just shouted at them.”
Unlike the rest of the UK, fox hunting is still legal in Northern Ireland.
The League’s Northern Ireland Campaigner has condemned the attack calling it a “meaningless waste”. Mary Friel said, “Northern Ireland should not be a safe haven for hunts. This tragic incident highlights the need for both wild and domestic animals to be properly protected against all animal cruelty carried out in the name of ‘sport’.”