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Cat’s death sparks national reaction
Moppet's tragic death sparks national reaction
AN OWNER of the family pet which was mauled to death by hunting dogs has said he had been “amazed” by the reaction to the incident.
Since the tragic story of elderly tabby Moppet’s death appeared on the front page of the Evening News on Tuesday, it has featured in several national newspapers and Les Atkinson appeared live on BBC Radio Five yesterday.
The cat, aged 18, was relaxing outside her home in Stoupe Brow, Ravenscar, when a 27-strong hunting pack bounded on to the land and attacked the defenceless animal earlier this month.
A huntsman then picked up the cat’s lifeless body and rode off, before it was returned to her owners two days later in an empty bag of dog food.
Speaking to the Evening News yesterday, Mr Atkinson said that he hoped the interest in the story, which has now reached an audience of millions, would spread awareness and ensure other pets do not suffer a similar fate to Moppet.
He said: “The phone has never stopped and people have been very sympathetic. It has all been very positive. We haven’t the slightest interest in making any money or getting any compensation. We just don’t want this to happen to other people.
“When those dogs are on their own they’re daft, but in a pack they’re a killing machine. I think hunting with dogs should be banned.”
The hunting party which entered the Atkinsons’ land on a bridle path was a joint expedition between the Staintondale and Goathland hunts.
Mr Atkinson said that although a representative of the Staintondale hunt had apologised, he had not heard anything from the Goathland hunt.
The League Against Cruel Sports has condemned the hunting parties for causing Moppet’s death.
The national charity’s chief executive, Joe Duckworth, told the Evening News: “This is yet another example of the total lack of regard hunters have for members of the public.
“Sadly these incidents happen all too often with hunters riding rough shod over the feelings of individuals who get in the way of their blood sport.”
The police issued incorrect information on Monday, stating their investigation into the cat’s death was over. It has now confirmed that the incident is being investigated, alongside the RSPCA.
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Comments
There are 10 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
TommyWoodward
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 06:07 PMGoodwill by name but not by nature. It would also be interesting to hear from David (we need christian morals) Cameron
TSnf
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 05:29 PMGoodwill?? He's more interested in toffs on horses with killer hounds than ordinary folk (and their pets) in Scarborough (and I'm an ex-horse owner and rider, so I've nothing against horse riders per se). No, he prefers to spout a load of twaddle about Tescos etc.. I've said before that what happened to this poor cat was appalling, but we can't expect any sympathetic comments from our illustrious (NOT) MP!!
diapason
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 02:59 PMThe usual deafening silence from Goodwill, who supports hunting, and the Countryside Alliance.
A different bloke in the pub
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 01:22 PM3 and 6 I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong here, but I think there's a bridle path or other public right of way that crosses the Atkinsons' land. If it is private land, the hunting mob would have no right to be there of course without the landowners' agreement. However, the suggestion that this bloodthirsty pack were let loose and sufficently out of control to kill a cat *on a public right of way* is even more alarming, and as has already been mentioned they could just as easily have torn a small child to pieces. Could anyone just confirm whether or not this was the case?
Tim Thorne
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 12:09 PM"Surly the person laying the scent for the hounds to chase would not be so stupid to go so close to private property" These dogs are whipped up into a frenzy and driven across public land so it shouldn't be any surprise they kill anything they encounter. Driving wild dogs across public land where they can encounter the *public* should some the alarm bells ringing. Killing the dogs isn't the answer here. Two wrongs don't make a right. Prosecutions for failure control the baying hounds should. Why is that the public are banned from keeping certain types of dog, but its fine for hunts to use animals that are bred for a single purpose? Perhaps they should use whippets if they want to run with the horses...
Feline
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 11:10 AM''The English Country Gentleman galloping after a fox - 'The unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable'' (Oscar Wilde) In this case the hound's blood lust taken out on someones defenceless beloved pet!!!! - Is this what they call 'sport'? Surely these days a more civilized method of exercising horses, dogs and the minds of 'gentlemen' can be found!!!! Yours truly Feline - 'Playing it again Sam'
Fiftyfifty
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 10:33 AM#3 me thinks is very close to uncovering the truth!
Aladdinsane
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 11:10 PMWhy were these dogs on the cat owners land? Surly the person laying the scent for the hounds to chase would not be so stupid to go so close to private property.....or were they chasing the scent of a real fox???? Hmmmmmm
guesticulate
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 09:28 PMPlay it again Sam!
Feline
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 11:55 AMThe English Country Gentleman galloping after a fox - 'The unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable' (Oscar Wilde) In this case the hound's blood lust taken out on someones defenceless beloved pet!!!! - Is this what they call 'sport' ,The English Country Gentleman galloping after a fox - 'The unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable' (Oscar Wilde) In this case the hound's blood lust taken out on someones defenceless beloved pet!!!! - Is this what they call 'sport' ? Surely these days a more civilized method of exercising horses, dogs and the minds of 'gentlemen' can be found!!!! Yours truly - Feline
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