AN ELDERLY man has been left devastated after his beloved cat was mauled to death by two dogs.

Barry Harvey's three-year-old cat Tammy was savaged by two animals running wild near his home in Whitehawk Close, Brighton.

The 74-year-old was at home when there was a knock at the door and one of his neighbours told him his cat had been attacked.

Witnesses said one of the dogs was believed to be a German Shepherd but there was no description of the second.

He said: “I did not sleep and I buried Tammy in my back garden. I do not know how to explain it – it is like losing a member of the family.

“We had a connection, she was so loveable. I worked with dogs all my life as I used to run a security company but now I am retired I could not handle dogs anymore so I first got a cat about ten years ago.”

Mr Harvey called on dog-owners to make sure their pets are “safe and secure” at night.

He said “I am a bit worried about these two dogs running loose, especially with children on holiday now”.

The incident was reported to both Sussex Police and the RSPCA after the attack at 11.40pm on Thursday evening.

A dog which kills someone else’s pet could be considered “dangerously out of control”.

Mr Harvey said: “When I went outside I went up and saw it was my cat and I just kind of went numb.

“It is hard to explain – a chap was talking to me and I just could not hear his words.

“I posted on Facebook and was overwhelmed by the reaction, they could not believe it. People sent me hugs and kisses and that helped.

“Tammy fitted in so well, I used to spoil her rotten with all the best. It was terrible cleaning up her bowl and putting it away.”

Mr Harvey had adopted Tammy from City Cat Shelter.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “At 11.38pm on Thursday we received a report that a cat had been killed by two dogs in Whitehawk Close, Brighton.

“We have been in touch with the cat owner. We have no information about any owners for the dogs, and the owner has been given details of the council dog warden.”