TWO dangerous dogs were allowed to run free and kill three pet cats, a court heard.

On three occasions Staffordshire bull terriers Kizy and Dred were allowed out of the Hailsham home of owners Rebecca Taylor and Chaz Welch, of Mortain Park.

Eastbourne magistrates heard that the dogs chased and mauled to death three pet cats in all.

On one occasion the Smithson family, who live in Stoney Lane, Hailsham - a mile away from the dogs'' home - bravely managed to free their cat, Tinsel, from the jaws of the dogs and chase them off.

Despite vets' efforts to save the cat it died two days after the incident, which happened on the morning of June 14 this year.

The dogs were eventually found wandering in the High Street area of Hailsham by council animal welfare officers during the morning rush hour, an hour after the attack.

Warren Earp, Weal-den Council's animal welfare officer, said: "There is always a chance these dogs could have done harm to humans as well."

An order to destroy the dogs was carried out the same day.

In a statement read out at the hearing, Kara Smithson, who along with sister Clare managed to free Tinsel from the dogs' grip, said: "I was in the bathroom and heard crying and growling noises from outside.

"I ran into the back garden and saw two dogs which were attacking our cat. They had her in their mouths and were pulling at her. My sister touched one of their backs and as it turned round it

dropped the cat and I put it in my arms."

The dogs jumped at Kara, trying to get the cat out of her arms. They then ran off.

Three months earlier the dogs were twice seen attacking cats.

The first time they attacked and killed a black and white cat in its owner's garden in Hollamby Park, Hailsham.

And the second time a tiny tortoiseshell kitten was killed after being bitten to death by the dogs, also in Hollamby Park.

Magistrates banned Taylor, 44, from keeping dogs for ten years after she admitted three counts of failing to control the dogs.

She was also ordered to pay £160 costs and contribute towards the vets' bills.

She said the dogs had broken through a fence in their garden, adding: "It was a mistake they got out but I did try to look for them."

The case against Welch, 28, also accused of three counts of failing to control the dogs, was found proved in his absence after he failed to appear at court.

He is to appear before magistrates on November 16 for sentencing.

David Buck, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said Mr Welch showed no remorse for what had happened when interviewed after the incident.

Mr Buck said: "When he was shown pictures of the cats he remarked that it couldn't have been his dogs that did it because the cats still had their heads on."

Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA Chief Inspector Carroll Lamport, said: "This incident, which could have been avoided, caused enormous distress to the cats and the owners."

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