Pet cat 'mauled and killed' by police dog hunting a burglar: Distraught owner tells of horror after finding out his beloved tabby had been savaged
A beloved pet cat was 'mauled to death' by a police dog off its lead as it searched for a burglary suspect.
Owner Nick Hoare was devastated after receiving a call from the police to say his much-loved cat, called Buster, had been killed by one of its dogs in the operation.
The tragic incident happened close to the seven-year-old white and tabby cat's home in Weymouth, Dorset.
A beloved pet cat (pictured) was 'mauled to death' by a police dog off its lead as it searched for a burglary suspect
Police had been on the hunt for an intruder who had broken into a building site when the dog, believed to be a German shepherd, went for Buster.
The pet suffered fatal injuries and could not be saved. Mr Hoare, 70, said the police officer who broke the news asked him matter-of-factly if he wanted Buster 'returned frozen or as ash'.The retired boat builder said: 'I didn't want to see a frozen mauled cat – so I asked them to bring me his ashes.'
The police have revealed no suspects were found or items discovered missing during the search.
They have apologised to Mr Hoare for the distress caused and said the death will be investigated internally.
Mr Hoare added: 'You fear your cat might get hit by a car but you don't expect it to be savaged by a police dog.
Owner Nick Hoare was devastated after receiving a call from the police to say his much-loved cat, called Buster, had been killed by one of its dogs in the operation
'They had the police dog out there to catch a criminal - and they caught a cat instead, poor little thing. I am gutted.'
The pensioner took in Buster when he was a stray kitten and had him micro-chipped so he could be contacted if he ever came to harm.
He said he would be in 'a lot of trouble' if it was his dog which killed a neighbour's pet.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991), a pet owner can be sent to prison for six months or given an unlimited fine if their dog is 'out of control in a public place' and attacks someone's animal.
Mr Hoare said: 'The last time I saw Buster was when he popped in at around 5pm o the evening he died.
'He laid on his back and let me stroke his tummy - he didn't often do that - so that's my last memory of him, seeing his white stomach, and him just staring up at me.'
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