A heartbroken family whose cat was mauled by a dog have hit out at its owners for leaving their beloved pet to die in the street.

Barney was left for dead after being attacked by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier on an extendable lead as it sat outside its home in Shortlands Road, Sittingbourne, on Saturday.

Owner Chelsea Stacey explained how CCTV from her neighbour’s house showed her 19-year-old cat being grabbed by the dog, which was being walked by a group of three people.

She said: “One of the owners tried to get Barney out of the dog’s mouth but the other two just stood there. When they managed to get him out they just dropped him on the path and left him to die.”

The incident happened at around 2pm and police and the dog warden have been made aware.

Chelsea, who lives in the road and is a carer, didn’t find out about Barney’s brutal death until the following day.

She said: “He was an old cat and so on Saturday we thought he may have gone out and just passed away peacefully but we asked people to check their cameras in case he was clipped by a car and a ring doorbell videoed the whole thing.

“It was absolutely horrific and brutal. The worst bit is how they left him to die alone.

“When I found out I was so angry and upset they left him there all alone, especially at the age of 19.

“I struggle to get it out of my head. My mum and I are absolutely heartbroken - he was one of the family.”

Chelsea said Barney was well-known in the area.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was called at 10.15am on Monday to a report that a cat had been killed by a dog, which was being walked in the Shortlands Road area of Sittingbourne.

"An appointment has been made to speak to the cat’s owner and establish further details, including possible CCTV footage of the incident."

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