The owners of two cats savaged to death by a dog fear it might attack children.

Pensioner John Smith, 67, of Flawith Drive, Fagley, issued the warning after his two--year-old pet Blackie was bitten to death on his driveway by the Alsatian cross.

According to Mr Smith the dog has been roaming the estate for months.

Mr Smith said: "It's running about without supervision. It's got the taste for killing cats. Who will be next - kiddies? There's a new children's play area just opened near to us and I'm very worried."

And his next-door neighbour, Mrs Sheila Maule, 64, told of an attack on her cat.

"I heard Fluffy outside meowing strangely. When I opened the kitchen door the dog had got her by the head and was shaking her around like a rag doll.

"I took Fluffy to the vet but her spine was broken so the vet said we'd better let her go. I think this dog will go for little children and I cringe when I see it on the new playground nearby."

Mrs Maule said she was still too afraid to get another cat in case it suffered the same fate as Fluffy.

Fagley Tenants' and Residents' Association chairman Bert Beaumont said: "We want to know who exactly is responsible, whether it's the police, the Council or the residents, for dealing with the problem.''

Bradford Council dog warden Terry Singh said he could not use powers under the Dangerous Dogs' Act 1991 because this applied to dogs which threatened people but not to dogs which attack other animals.

He added: "A warden has spoken to the owner of an Alsatian following a complaint it had killed a cat. This is the first complaint we have received about this particular dog and we have advised the owner it must be kept under proper control in the future."

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