The owners of a B.C. cat that mauled a pit bull this week are sharing their side of the story.
Saanich residents Betty Jean and Del Thompson are sorry their 16-year-old cat, named Baby, attacked a dog outside their home, but said there are still details to the stereotype-breaking story they need to set straight.
Betty Jean told CTV News she was weeding in their yard Monday evening when she saw a group of three people with seven leashed dogs walking past the property.
One of the dogs appeared to take an interest in what she was doing and started walking toward her, Betty Jean said, which sent Baby into protective mode.
“Our cat, being very protective, picked herself up and started walking that way,” she said. “So I yelled, ‘Get those dogs out of here, I have a cat!’”
But it was too late. The cat pounced on Javiera Rodriguez’s pit bull, Bandita, latching onto the dog’s face and leaving several bloody claw marks. It also scratched and bit Kyla Grover, one of the dog walkers who tried to separate the animals.
The Thompsons said despite being a 10-pound cat, Baby rarely backs down from a potential threat at the property. They admit she has “nipped” at dogs once or twice before, but said she has never sent another animal to the vet.
Del believes the cat was likely scared by the number of dogs in front of the home.
“Usually you don’t get seven dogs walking. It’s pretty intimidating, even if you were a pedestrian on the sidewalk pushing a stroller or something,” he said.
The couple, which paid more than $200 to cover Bandita’s vet bill, doesn’t disagree with most of Rodriguez’s telling of the story, but does dispute the suggestion that Baby ran “out of the bushes” and attacked out of nowhere.
They also said there is usually a fence in front of the property, but they’re in the process of repairing it.
Rodriguez believes the attack reveals a double-standard applied to cats and dogs, and particularly pit bulls.
She tried to report the incident to Saanich city staff, but was told the municipality doesn’t have a cat bylaw, though it does have restrictions for “dangerous and aggressive” dogs.
“I think cats should go by the same rules as any other pets here in Victoria so we can keep everyone safe,” she told CTV News.
Her dog was treated at Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital and given antibiotics, but despite having a rough couple days, the animal will be OK.
“She’s just super needy and needs a lot of attention and cuddles, but she’s fine,” Rodriguez said.
With a report from CTV Vancouver’s St. John Alexander
