A Birmingham couple has spoken of their overwhelming grief after their nine-year-old cat was fatally attacked by two large dogs in their front garden. Katie Rogers, 24, and Cole Dennick, 23, from the West Heath area, say their beloved cat Loki was seized by the throat and legs in an assault that left him with catastrophic injuries, leading to his euthanasia.
Attack in the Front Garden
On July 25, 2026, Loki was sunbathing on the front lawn of their home on Aldersmead Road when two large dogs charged at him. According to the couple, one dog grabbed him by the throat while the other took hold of his legs, in an attack that was captured on a neighbour's CCTV. Cole described the scene: "One grabbed him by the throat and the other had him by his legs. It was like they were trying to tear him in half."
Katie's father, Mick, 70, who lives with them, rushed out after hearing the commotion and managed to kick the dogs away. He was physically unharmed, but the couple say the trauma has affected the whole family. Katie added, "My dad was very lucky he wasn't harmed physically. We're all scarred mentally, but I truly believe those two dogs could be capable of killing humans."
A Special Bond
Loki had been a source of immense comfort for Cole, who shared a unique bond with the cat. Cole revealed that Loki never left his side after he "nearly died" from cerebellitis in 2020, an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection. Cole said, "I've got PTSD from nearly dying and now from this. Loki was one of the only reasons I was able to pull through and recover. I've never known grief like this."
The couple described Loki as a "loving, chilled and cheeky" cat, who was like a Labrador in his behaviour, often following them on walks with their dog. He was an outdoor cat but preferred to stay in the garden, "watching the world go by."
Vet's Devastating Diagnosis
After the attack, Loki was rushed to the vet, but the injuries were too severe. Katie explained, "The vets told us the bites to his neck were bleeding badly, which had affected his breathing. His lungs and heart were failing, and the dogs had snapped his hind legs." The couple made the heartbreaking decision to have him put to sleep, as vets said he would likely never walk or move normally again.
Katie said, "They could continue trying CPR, but he'd have a catastrophic life ahead of him. It wouldn't be the life of a cat as he knew it. He probably wouldn't be able to walk again or move very much."
Trauma and Aftermath
The couple, who are now seeking private therapy, say they cannot stop replaying the attack in their minds. Cole, a delivery driver, has been signed off work for a few weeks due to sleeplessness and anxiety. Their remaining pets, a cat named Socks and a dog named Caspar, have been searching for Loki, and the couple are too scared to let them outside.
"Our other cat is never usually affectionate, but now he won't leave our side. We haven't let him out of the house because we're too scared, and we haven't taken the dog for a walk yet. We're terrified," Cole added.
Campaigning for Loki's Law
Katie and Cole have reported the incident to West Midlands Police, who are investigating. They are now campaigning for 'Loki's Law' to improve regulation and hold owners accountable. Katie said, "More needs to be done in terms of regulation, and the owners should face consequences. We don't think we'll ever get another pet again, it's just too much to go through."
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We are investigating reports of two dogs dangerously out of control in Aldersmead Road, Birmingham. Local enquiries are ongoing as we work to establish the full circumstances." Anyone with information is urged to call 101 using crime number 20/338858/26.
