Tunstall pensioner says she is 'living in fear' after cat attack
A PENSIONER is calling for a new law on dangerous cats after she claims a terrifying attack has left her housebound.
Nora Scott, aged 80, from Stanley Street, Tunstall, says that a neighbour's cat has been plaguing her for over a year.
She was left scratched and bruised after the cat attacked her in her garden on July 8.
The retired wool shop worker said: "I am terrified of this cat. It clawed my face and I had to go to the hospital and get antibiotics.
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"I have spoken to the police, but they say there is nothing they can do. I think there should be a new law, because they have one for dangerous dogs."
Nora, who has lived at her terraced house in Tunstall for 26 years, is now unwilling to go out alone in case she runs into the animal.
She said: "It just jumped up and clawed all down my face. There was blood everywhere and it left me with a black eye. Now, I am too scared to go out, in case it comes after me."
Nora says she has now been left feeling helpless as dangerous cats are not treated as serious cases.
She said: "Until something is done, then I will have to remain in my house. I used to love pottering about in the garden. I used to grow lovely flowers but I had to cut them all down so I could see whether the cat was hiding there."
The cat is believed to belong to Nora's neighbours.
She claims they apologised after the attack, and told her they would have it rehomed.
She said: "After it clawed me, they said they were getting rid. But I know their children are very fond of it and that is why it has not gone.
"Even my dog is terrified of it and runs up and down, barking. I am going to bed at 10.30pm every night because I don't feel safe to go out."
Nora now carries a water spray with her at all times when she is in the garden.
And she stands as close to the house as possible in case she needs to make a quick retreat.
She said: "It could attack again if it has a violent temperament."
Nora's daughter Lynne Sams, aged 62, says the incident has badly affected her elderly mother.
The retired civil servant, who now lives in Wales, said: "After the attack there was blood running down her face.
"If she hadn't got her glasses on, it could have been terrible.
"Nobody is willing to do anything to help, but it would be a different story if a Rottweiler had got hold of her leg."
Staffordshire Police said they could not find any record of responding to an attack in July.
But it may not have been serious enough to record.
A spokesman said: "There is the dangerous dog act but there is no such law relating to cats."
Comments
by bobetch
Saturday, October 20 2012, 4:52PM
“Cat attack animated cartoon - Anger Meownagement! View here...
http://tinyurl.com/cplqfap”
by bobble1956
Saturday, August 25 2012, 9:58PM
“Apparently there is a problem with the internal server that is stopping comments to this outrageous bilge”
by Alberus
Thursday, August 23 2012, 3:05PM
“Hmm...Cats, the thinking person's pet. They hoover up vermin, then bury their own poo. What's to not like about that? Maybe we should allow them an occasional misdemeanour. It does behove everyone to approach an unknown or especially a feral cat with caution. My wife didn't when she once reached out to stroke an innocuous-looking ginger tom at Shugborough' The bite she received caused her hand to swell up like a football for days.”
by shaz94
Thursday, August 23 2012, 2:59PM
“How are we expected to clean up after cats they bury the poo after”
by deblou7
Thursday, August 23 2012, 2:56PM
“What a load of ****... I have owned cats all my life and I have never known a domestic house cat to sit in wait to attack a human being... The woman probably caught it in her garden and tried to harm it so the cat went into fight or flight mode and lashed out... Maybe... But the woman injured herself in her futile attempt and is now claiming the feline is stalking her... We had a mouse in our kitchen the other week and that was more vicious that our cats! She is a grumpy old woman with a dislike for cats... Simple”
by Notanumber
Thursday, August 23 2012, 1:15PM
“I don't know what not to believe first, the story itself or that the Sentinel actually published this tripe!”
by shaz94
Wednesday, August 22 2012, 9:11PM
“Like I am going to follow my cat all day and pick up its poo soon you will want us to take them out for a walk on leads,”
by pottering
Wednesday, August 22 2012, 7:59PM
“black eyes? Has it punched her in the face? If you ask me, she's fallen over and daren't admit it to her family so the moggy gets the blame”
by Johntoe
Wednesday, August 22 2012, 6:41PM
“mabazaritchie
Not even close mate, the standard of wind up merchants and trolls on this site has gone badly down hill of late,
You need better 'bait'”
by Redtone
Wednesday, August 22 2012, 6:37PM
“I'd respectfully ask you not to call me sunshine - I find it incredibly patronising. I reckon cats certainly kill enough rats and mice to make a noticeable difference. The house I grew up in had a field at the back, we certainly noticed the difference when we didn't have a cat.
They bury their excrement by the way. It's not cat business the pavements of this city are covered with.
I fully expect the Sentinel to draw our attention to UFO's beaming up cattle next week!”