A CAT owner whose pet had to be put down after a savage attack by two dogs has called for dogs to be muzzled in public.

Caroline Gravener’s nine-year-old tortoiseshell cat, Daisy, was set upon by two “husky-type” dogs as she slept under a bush in the garden of the family home, in Royston Avenue, Southend.

The cat’s spine was severed by a bite from one of the dogs.

The family rushed her to a vet, but she had to be put down.

The attack has prompted Mrs Gravener, 44, to start an online petition, calling a for “a law to make the muzzling of all dogs in public areas compulsory at all times”.

She said: “It’s such a small change, but it would make such a difference.

“People have said ‘you can’t muzzle flat-faced dogs’, but vets do, because they can be really aggressive.

“Even a little Chihuahua can give you a nasty nip.

“I love dogs – don’t get me wrong – but they can turn at any time. You never know.

“It would have to be an all-or-nothing law to be properly enforced, too. Then no one would get bitten.”

The attack happened last Friday and saw a terrified Daisy struggle to get away because of her arthritis.

It left Mrs Gravener, fearful for the safety of children William, eight, and Oscar, three.

She said: “The dogs were totally out of control.

“Daisy was trying to get over the back gate to get away, but she’s quite arthritic and they just dragged her down and bit right through her spine.

“That’s what they always do.

“My youngest child isn’t much bigger than our cat, but even our eldest could have been mauled.”

In October 2012, another cat, Blossom, was savaged by two mastiffs in nearby Waltham Crescent and had to be put down because she was struggling to breathe afterwards.

Mrs Gravener said: “It’s absolutely diabolical this has happened again.”

To sign the petition, visit petition.parliament.uk/petitions/106878/