A MAN whose pet cat was killed by a dog off its lead has warned a child could be hurt next.

Gavin Ward, 45, is appealing for more information to track down the owner of the Lurcher, which was out of control on the Ravenscliffe estate at Greengates.

He said he got a call from his horrified neighbour on Tuesday morning telling him his pet had been butchered.

Mr Ward, who was at work at Calverley’s New Inn at the time, said his cat, Zeus, had not stood a chance against the tan Lurcher cross that had been with a man at the time of the attack.

“My neighbour told me the dog had dragged Zeus from outside our flat and ragged him about on some common ground opposite. The man couldn’t control him but eventually managed to put him back on a lead and walked calmly off,” said Mr Ward, of Roundwood Glen.

Mr Ward, who has contacted the police and reported the incident to Bradford Council’s dog warden service, said he wanted to find out who the owner was so further action could be taken.

“I’m worried what that dog could do to a small child. He butchered my cat. I don’t want it to happen to anyone else,” he said.

Zeus was a rescue cat who had lived with Mr Ward for four years.

Mr Ward said: “My neighbour had wrapped him in a towel and I took him to the vets but he couldn’t be saved. I’ve told the police and the dog warden but we need more information for it to be dealt with. I hope anyone who recognises the description of the dog will get in touch with the warden.”

Councillor Geoff Reid (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) said dangerous dogs should not be off the lead in a public place. “It just should not happen. I know where most of the difficult dogs are on my ward and thankfully they are usually on the other side of the gate.”

The dog warden can be contacted on 01274 433927.