Family cat mauled to death by dogs

The incidents - involving what were believed to be stray dogs - happened in the Craigavon area on Sunday.

The pet that died was a cat, while a dog was injured in the other incident.

Posting on Facebook early on Sunday local SDLP Councillor Thomas Larkham appealed to dog owners to keep their pets under control.

He pointed to the owner owners of four dogs seen in the Pinebank area “to track them down and take them off the streets”.

He said: “They have been roaming free around the Pinebank estate in Craigavon all night and earlier this morning mauled a family pet to death.

“This is a very worrying incident which I have reported to the relevant authorities.

“Dog owners need to be responsible when around other animals and children.”

Later in the day he pointed to a second attack in the same area: “I am horrified to learn that a second dog attack has happened in Pinebank today.

“I am told that a German Shepherd type dog attacked this family pet around the play park area.

“I am told that had it not been for people passing this dog may have been killed and is currently with the vet.”

He went on to say: “These incidents are an extremely worrying turn of events and local residents have expressed serious concerns to me that the next attack could be a child or adult - I share these concerns.

“Therefore I am calling on the relevant authorities to urgently address this matter for the safety of the public and family pets.”