A heartbroken veterinary nurse has warned people to keep their pets indoors after her beloved cat was dragged to its death by a fox.

Louisa Chibnall says 21-year-old Doris was snatched from the back garden of their Margate home and minutes later was seen by a neighbour in the mouth of the predatory scavenger.

She fears the fox was a mother trying to feed her cubs, and says cat owners should be on high alert at this time of year.

She has even written to neighbours warning them to keep their pets inside and not leave any food out which may attract foxes.

Recalling the moment her partner told her what had happened to Doris, she said: “It was the worst thing he’s had to do.

“I was on my knees. I was just screaming her name. For her to go out that way broke my heart.

“I knew she was dead and there was nothing I could do about it.”

Miss Chibnall, who also has two other elderly cats she will no longer let outside, says she adopted Doris after treating her at Thanet Animal Hospital.

“Even at 21 she was one of the feistiest cats,” she said. “She never went anywhere because she was so old and she had cat dementia. I hoped she was going to make 22 in September. She loved her food, her bed and hot water bottle, baths and haircuts.”

Miss Chibnall says she has been left so traumatised by the ordeal that she is considering moving from Grotto Road.

“I’m looking to move because all I can see is the gap in the fence where she went through,” she said.

“I don’t know if she was the first but I really don’t think she will be the last.

“My only solace is that it was quick and that she was already dead when it took her through. She wouldn’t have had any idea.”

Miss Chibnall, a veterinary nurse for 11 years, has told neighbours to be aware when seeing cats and foxes appearing to play together, warning that between May and June mothers are feeding their cubs on meat for the first time.

“I just want people to stop being naive,” she added. “If it’s a mother with cubs they will take what they need. This mother fox won’t stop now and she’s desperate. They would even take a small dog.”

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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