A FAMILY from Bishopdown Farm have been left traumatised after their beloved 19-year-old cat was killed by a dog.

Claire and Ian Masters and their daughters Sasha, 13, and Imogen, 11, watched in horror as the husky dog attacked their ginger cat Zuki on their doorstep last Tuesday evening.

“Zuki was on our laps just before it happened,” said Mrs Masters. “He liked to sit on the doorstep and this dog just came right up into the porch and picked him up.”

Mr Masters and the dog’s owner chased after the husky, which was off its lead, to try to free Zuki but the cat was already dead.

“It was just horrible,” said Mrs Masters. “My younger daughter wouldn’t stop screaming. We eventually got Zuki out of the dog’s mouth and my husband carried him home but he was completely lifeless.”

Mr and Mrs Masters, who live in Ash Crescent, have had Zuki since he was a kitten and Mrs Masters said that despite suffering from arthritis, he was fit and well.

“It’s our wedding anniversary this week and we got Zuki when we moved into our first flat together,” said Mrs Masters.

“My daughters have never known him not being around. He was just such a character; he was gorgeous, big, cuddly and fluffy,” said Mrs Masters.

The family is calling for the dog to be kept on a lead and muzzled when it’s taken out for walks.

“I’m an animal lover and I don’t want to see it put down but if you know your dog chases things or is prone to running after cats then it should be kept on a lead,” Mrs Masters added.

The incident has been reported to police and is under investigation.