Ali Ratcliff-Barnes and her wife Hannah lost their beloved 10-year-old cat George on Father's Day weekend when a dog broke into their home through the cat flap and attacked him. George died on the way to the vet. The couple, from Henley-in-Arden, were away at the time but monitoring their home via a Ring doorbell camera.
Attack Inside the Home
While checking their camera on June 21, Ali noticed two women lingering near their house. The women rang the doorbell but left when Ali spoke to them. Concerned, the couple called the police. Officers later learned the women had lost their dog, which they believed had entered the Ratcliff-Barnes home.
Ali asked her in-laws to check on the cats. Within 20 minutes, they called in tears to say the dog had attacked George. George was rushed to the vet but died from his injuries. The attack was so severe that the couple had to spend hundreds renovating their downstairs, replacing carpets and a door due to blood and bodily fluids. The dog also urinated throughout the house, leaving a constant reminder of the incident.
Lack of Legal Protection for Cats
Ali was horrified to learn that there is no specific law against dogs killing cats. She told the Mirror, 'Unfortunately, what the police have said to us is that the law has a very grey area around cats. Whereas had the dog attacked a person or an assistance dog, they would be in more of a position to be able to put any kind of restrictions on the dog or take any action against the owners. But essentially, because it's a cat, it doesn't have the same weight.'
Ali is campaigning for changes to the law, arguing that cats should receive the same protections as other animals. She said, 'I'd like to see dog owners held to account for the behaviour of their pets.' She noted that the dog was not a banned breed and had no legal requirement to be muzzled, but believes the owners should have kept it under control in a residential area.
Statistics on Dog Attacks on Cats
According to Cats Protection, over the last five years (2021-2025), there have been at least 77 reported dog attacks on cats, resulting in 61 fatalities (79%). Over the last decade (2016-2025), at least 320 cats have been reportedly attacked by dogs, with 241 fatalities (75%). Annabel Berdy, Cats Protection Advocacy and Government Relations Manager, said these figures are likely the 'tip of the iceberg' as many attacked cats never return home.
Calls for Legislative Change
Annabel Berdy urged the government to introduce a specific offence for dog owners whose dogs attack, injure, or kill cats. She noted that while powers exist under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, police and councils are often unclear about when to use them. She said, 'We would urge the Government to introduce a specific offence to allow the prosecution of dog owners whose dogs attack, injure or kill cats.'
Manuela Perteghella, MP for Stratford-on-Avon, expressed sympathy and said, 'The law provides stronger protections when dogs attack livestock, other dogs, or people, but cats are often left without equivalent legal recognition. Given their importance as companion animals and the emotional distress their loss causes, cats deserve the same level of protection afforded to other animals.'
Impact on the Family
Ali described George as a sweet cat who loved to curl up with his owners and would greet them on walks. She said, 'It's been horrific, really. I had to take some time off work because I was just too traumatised by it. It's both losing a family member, but also feeling quite violated by having a dog coming into your house, your safe place, and both kill your pet but also cause a lot of damage.'
The couple also owns a dog, which is missing George. Ali said, 'She's definitely missing him and not being able to see him around the house. I think she's finding it quite hard as well to deal with the loss.'
A police investigation is underway, but Ali has encountered hurdles in seeking justice. She has started a petition to make killing or injuring a cat a specific offence.
