A HEREFORD woman has spoken of her despair as she watched her beloved family cat mauled to death by two dogs.

Lavinia Macwhinnie was woken by the squeals of 14-year-old Bubbles, who was being attacked by the two Staffordshire Bull Terriers on the front garden of her Alexandra Avenue home.

"It was absolutely horrific," said Lavinia. "I saw what was happening and rushed to the door. One of the dogs had Bubbles around his front and the other had his teeth sunk in the back legs."

Helpless Bubbles continued to scream out in pain as Lavinia tried to scare the dogs off - but with little effect.

"There was blood around the dogs' mouths and the only time they stopped was when Bubbles stopped moving. Then they ran away up the road," she said.

Lavinia said the cat, a black and white male, was a much loved family pet that had been in the house since he was bought with his sister Squeak many years ago.

He was also well known by residents on the College Estate road, who were said to be very fond of him.

"The neighbours loved him and my two children loved having him around when they were growing up," said Lavinia, aged 40.

"More recently my granddaughter enjoyed playing with him. What if she had been in the garden when they struck?

"These dogs were just in a killing frenzy and I do not think anyone should be allowed to keep them," she added.

The attack took place last Thursday morning and Lavinia said that since witnessing the ordeal, she has had trouble sleeping and continuing with day- to-day activities.

Both dogs were wearing collars and reportedly seen close to the Nuffield Hospital in Venns Lane later that day.

One dog was a dark brown colour, the other a white or cream colour.

Police say investigations are ongoing and they are keen to know the location of these dogs and would like to speak to the owners.

Less than an hour before this incident, another cat was killed in the garden of a home on the College Estate.

Mowzer, a four-year-old black and white male cat, was found dead in the back garden of an address in nearby Kingsway, less than an hour before the Alexandra Avenue attack.

"We did not hear the attack take place and both my girlfriend and I were shocked when we saw Mowzer dead in the garden," said owner Andy Truelove.

"He was an absolutely gorgeous cat and a big softie at heart. We had him since a kitten and he will be sorely missed." he added.