A CAT lover has spoken of her horror at finding her pet dead after it had been mauled by dogs.

Margaret Turner, 54, spent Bank Holiday Monday playing with her tabby cat Willow in the garden of her Lanchester home, which backs on to a bridleway.

At about 5.15pm she heard dogs barking ferociously and went to investigate. She says she found a man and boy with three lurchers, one with blood dripping from its mouth.

She thought the dog had been injured and offered the man a rag but he walked off.

Afterwards she found the cat's body along the path.

Mrs Turner said: "The poor little thing would not have stood a chance. She was a beautiful cat, very friendly and so trusting."

She had had the cat since January.

She criticised the dog owner for allowing his dogs to wander and not telling her what happened.

She said: "That man could have said something but he didn't. I had to go find she had been mauled myself."

An RSPCA spokesman said: "We are really sorry to hear about what happened to the cat. It is awful and Mrs Turner must be very upset. We would call for people to keep their animals under control in public places."

Durham Police are investigating. Anyone with information can call PC Jonathan Robinson on 0845 60 60 365.