POLICE are hunting the owner of a Staffordshire bull terrier which killed a cat and injured a woman.

On Tuesday, May 7, a dog was being walked without a lead on Townend Street in the Groves area of York.

The dog than grabbed a cat, named Buffy, which was sat in the communal gardens of the house she lived in, causing injuries to her vertebrae and rear end.

The cat’s owner intervened and grabbed the dog by the collar, but the dog turned and bit her foot.

The dog and its owner then left the scene.

North Yorkshire Police say the cat was rushed to the vets, but had to be put to sleep.

Her owner was treated at York District Hospital for her injuries.

PC Elaine Duffy of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This was a very frightening and distressing incident for Buffy’s owner.

“I am appealing for anyone who can help identify the dog’s owner or who witnessed the incident to come forward. Better still, if its owner is reading this appeal, please do the right thing and contact the police.”

The dog is described as a completely brown Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dog and the person walking it is described as a young, white man and is believed to be local.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Elaine Duffy. Or you can email her at; Elaine.duffy@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk