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Hunt dogs savage family pet
Moppet the cat, savagely killed by hunting dogs
A COUPLE have been devastated after dozens of hunting party hounds savaged and killed their family pet.
Elderly tabby Moppet, aged 18, was outside her home in Stoupe Brow, near Ravenscar, when 27 hunting dogs bounded onto land belonging to her owners Les and Margaret Atkinson.
The dogs brutally attacked the cat before a huntsman picked up a lifeless and bloodied Moppet and rode away.
Hours later members of the hunt, which was a joint expedition between Staintondale and Goathland parties held earlier this month, were confronted by the Atkinsons – and it was admitted that Moppet had been killed.
Moppet’s body was returned to the Atkinsons by members of the hunt two days after she was killed and she has now been buried. A younger cat belonging to the Atkinsons, George, escaped the dogs by hiding in a stable.
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.’ Then he got back on his horse and he rode off.”
The couple then searched in vain for Moppet, with splashes of blood on the ground being the only trace of their beloved pet.
When two huntsmen passed a few hours later, the Atkinsons asked whether they knew what had happened.
Mrs Atkinson said: “I just said I think your hounds have killed my cat. They went to find out and came back. They said the dogs had killed her but that it had been an accident.”
She added: “It was horrific. She didn’t stand a chance. She was an old lady and it was not the way for an innocent animal to meet her end.
“I can’t bear the thought that in her last few moments she was in terror. She didn’t deserve to die like that.”
She added: “Moppet was a big part of the family. We bought her the year my daughter went to secondary school. She’s a 30-year-old teacher now and is married. She was devastated when we told her.”
Mr Atkinson said: “To be honest, we’ve spent a lot of time crying. She would curl up on our knees every night and would wake us up in the morning. I’m retired, so I would spend hours talking to her.
“I had to take photos of her for the police which was a bit harrowing. You could see the bite marks.”
Members of the hunt are allowed to pass through a bridle track on the Atkinsons’ land legally.
In future the couple, who have eight grandchildren, will be given advance warnings of any hunts.
Jean Clemmit, Staintondale hunt master, said: “I wasn’t there at the time, but as soon as I was aware of the incident I went to see the Atkinsons.
“It’s very regrettable and is upsetting for everybody but we can’t undo what has happened. I haven’t been involved in anything like this before. We will take preventative measures.”
She claimed that the cat’s death would have been reported to the Atkinsons and the body returned – even if the couple had not been aware of the incident.
Bill Dobson, chairman of the Goathland hunt, also said that Moppet’s death had been “regrettable”.
He added: “We always try to control the hounds and normally they are very well behaved.”
Scarborough RSPCA officer Geoff Edmond said he was “very concerned” after learning of the incident.
He added: “Obviously, this would have been very distressing for the cat and her owners.”
The incident was reported to the police and although they investigated the matter a spokesperson said yesterday that no further action will be taken.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Comments
There are 36 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
TommyWoodward
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 06:10 PMSorry for your loss Browside. The sick yobs want to be glad it wasn't my cat they did it to as I wouldn't have behaved with your grace.
Browside
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 04:54 PMIn answer to Sir Jimmy (21), I was the owner of Moppet and she wasn't 'wandering around the moors'. She was sitting on the doorstep of her own home. She was killed 2 metres from our own front door, in front of the cottage. Cats like to go outside for fresh air just like anyone else and should be able to do so without being attacked by a pack of dogs.
shogun_showtime
Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 02:01 PMArrr shut up Endmoorexcalibur!
BoredOfStereotypes
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 11:06 PM@32, that is your prerogative, just make sure that the right of way complies with the regulations- there are certain widths and standards which rights of way have to be nowadays.
pteronaut
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 02:07 AMNote to self, if owning property with a public right of way, make the border of the pathway untravelable by man or beast, whilst keeping the bridlepathway pristine.
pteronaut
Friday, December 16, 2011 at 02:05 AM@Sir Jimmy, my last cat was 20 when she passed away (of old age), and up until a month before she died, she was outside daily and was still catching vermin.
Leo Vine-Knight
Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 10:48 PMMans' best friend? The growth in irresponsible dog ownership is just one product of the cultural regression we have seen in the last twenty years. Too much playtime for permanent children and too little social control.
TommyWoodward
Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 09:50 PMSir Jimmy wants to know what a cat of that age was doing wandering around. I wonder if the idiot thinks the same about a person when a pensioner is mugged in the street?
TommyWoodward
Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 09:48 PMIgnore it Shogun, the poster is still upset at being moderated, after all, that type are used to getting away with whatever they like, as someone else said, they control the police and judges better than they control their dogs.
shogun_showtime
Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 04:03 PMBlaggards!?
123inthearea
Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 03:23 PMDamm Blaggards......should`nt have been in the way Pip Pip......
shogun_showtime
Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 02:52 PMTell me about it fiftyfifty, I have had a similar situation, they even startled my horses, nearly had everything I owned on its side!!! They even shouted horrible things at me!!! I really don't like any that I've come across before.
Fiftyfifty
Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 12:18 PMUnfortunately when dealing with these hunting types, you will have no luck as it is their right to do as they see fit, regardless of the majority views. --- Many years ago a group of us were enjoying a bike ride from Silpho towards Harwood Dale, just before Turkey Carpet area a hunt burst out of the Forest on the right, several of us were run into by hounds, knocking some off the bikes, horses & riders then followed, when we tried to object to being completely surrounded by baying hounds & excited horses, was there a slightest attempt at apology? No, instead we were set upon by a rider welding a long length of knotted rope which he slapped onto the ground as he rode towards us, then past us, leaving us stunned & shocked as they rode on, without thought or care of the mayhem left behind. I was never particularly in favour of hunting, even though I loved the country side life in gereral, but after that experience I certainly was not a supporter of the arrogant behaviour of most of these supposed hunters.
shogun_showtime
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 05:43 PMmade me cry too...
Carole Gerada
Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 05:25 PMI am very upset and distressed to read this article. The number of pets being destroyed by uncontrolled dogs in Scarborough, Eastfield and surrounding areas has become uncountable. Cats may be classified as wild animals to the police, but they do not go out in packs looking for dogs to kill. Also, cats instinctively kill rodents on their own properties, they do not run off onto other people's properties to do so. My cat, Ginja, was murdered by an uncontrolled Patterdale Terrier in April this year and still dog owners feel they have the right to allow their animals to roam free and hunt as it is their instinct to do so. When their animals are allowed to run onto private property and kill the resident pet on their own property - that has to be seen as criminal. My cat was killed in full view of several neighbours and the owner just stood by and watched. Nothing has been done about the murder. My heart goes out to the family and if they would like to assist me in a campaign to ensure all dogs are kept under control and on the lead when in a public area to prevent them from chasing and killing cats in their own territory, please get in touch. Carole Gerada 01723 585350 and 07790 912077. 21 Overdale, Eastfield Scarborough YO1 3HA
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