STOLEN cats are being mutilated by yobs and their blood-thirsty dogs in a sickening new trend. RSPCA experts fear youths are trapping the cats in cages before letting their ferocious dogs loose on them. One woman told how her three-month-old female kitten had its leg ripped off outside her home by a dog which was ordered to attack by its teenage owner. Janet Kelly, 53, from Croxteth, has paid £1,000 in vet bills after the attck on her pet. She said a week later the same youth set his dog ona neighbour's cat killing it. The RSPCA says the trend is " rife" in Liverpool. M r s Kelly said: "It's despicable and I'm concerned this is happening all over Merseyside. I've heard of similar incidents - not just in Croxteth. "It seems some sick kids get their kicks from watching vulnerable pets suffer this way. It's the same sort of idiots who go hunting with dogs illegally." Bess, a black kitten, nearly died after the attack and had to have her leg amputated. Mrs Kelly said: "The vet said I could have her put down but I couldn't do it. She's a lovely natured cat and even though we're not well-off my husband used his credit card to pay for the treatment. "I've reported it to the RSPCA and the police. Animal welfare experts fear the attacks could be part of training routines for dog fighting. "A lot of elderly people have cats for company and this could be terribly upsetting. "I'm still a bundle of nerves when Bess goes out, although she hardly does since what happened." The RSPCA ' s Inspector Claire Roberts said: "We are aware of this trend and we are working with the police to bring these mindless individuals to justice. "There are no words to describe these individuals; what they are doing is very distressing to the defenceless animals and their owners." Inspector Roberts added: "We believe that young people are responsible and we are hoping to bring a prosecution. "But the difficulty we have is that we have to be able to prove to a court that the dog was intentionally set upon the cat. "That is why we need as much information from the public as possible. "If people know about one of these incidents taking place, in the first instance they should call the police to attend and then report it to us." . Call 0870 555 5999. grego'keeffe@liverpoolecho.co.uk | 
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