A devastated cat owner is calling for “dangerous dogs” to be muzzled at all times after claiming her pet was mauled to death by greyhounds - in the dogs' own garden.

Rachel Ledner, 23, was distraught when she was told one-year-old moggy O’Malley was fighting for his life after a vicious attack by the pack of hounds.

She rushed to the Eureka Veterinary Centre in Trinity Road, Ashford, but sadly the ginger and white tom died before she arrived.

After speaking to the dogs’ owner, who took O’Malley to the vets, Rachel said: “The owners should have them muzzled at all times.

“O’Malley was a unique and special cat and he can never be replaced. He followed me everywhere, he was more like a dog than a cat. He couldn’t jump – he must have gone under a gap in the fence.”

Rachel’s other cat, three-year-old Lilly, is being kept indoors as her owner is terrified she might meet the same fate.

The animal lover, who works in Dover Council’s waste services team and is being supported by her friend Emma Miller, said the surviving cat has been looking around the flat for her playmate since he died.

Rachel, of The Street, Kennington, said: “If owners are aware of their dogs’ behaviour they should be cautious of other people around them. They should be taken to a farm in the countryside with lots of space where they can’t harm other things.

“I’d like the dogs to be removed. Not put down – just taken away from an area where there are a lot of cats. Is everyone meant to keep their cat indoors?”

While the RSPCA sympathised with Rachel it said there is currently no law stating dogs must be muzzled in their own garden.

Charity spokesman Andy Robbins said: “I’m afraid while we appreciate this incident is extremely upsetting for the cat’s owner, there doesn’t appear to have been a breach of any animal welfare law.

"There has to be an element of neglect or intention on the owner’s part for a matter to be pursued under the Animal Welfare Act.”