PET owners have been warned to be on their guard following a spate of pets being killed by gangs roaming the streets with vicious dogs.
It is believed youths have been wandering around deliberately setting dogs on cats.
One mother and daughter were horrified when their cat was torn to pieces within a few yards of their homes.
Toria Steer, 45, and her daughter Elizabeth Edgehill, 21, said their eight-year-old cat Trina was mauled to death in a back alley.
Toria, of Trinity Street, Oswaldtwistle, and Elizabeth, of Roe Greave Road, Oswaldtwistle, have warned other pet owners to beware amid fears the vicious dog could strike again.
Toria, who works at GlynWebb, Accrington, said: "It happened at night time so we didn't hear about it until the next morning. Some of our neighbours came to the door and asked if our cat had a collar.
"When we said it did they took us to the back alley. She had had her stomach ripped open. We were devastated."
She added that her neighbours were able to cover her cat up so she did not have to look at it while it was brought in from the alleyway.
Elizabeth, who works at European Screeding, Accrington, said: "We were really upset as we had had her since she was six weeks old."
Elizabeth said she had heard rumours that a man was seen on the night of the attack in the back alley with a torch and an Alsatian dog.
Hyndburn dog warden Steve Woods said: "I have heard of gangs going out with dogs and setting them on anything that moves. Not only is it morally wrong, it is criminally wrong and if they are caught they could go to prison."
If anyone has any information about the incident they should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
