A couple from Birmingham have described their grief as unlike anything they have “ever known” after their cat was fatally injured by two dogs in their front garden. Katie Rogers, 24, and Cole Dennick, 23, said the dogs tried to “tear him in half” during the attack on July 25 2026.
Attack in front garden
The nine-year-old domestic shorthair cat, Loki, was “sunbathing” on the front lawn of their home on Aldersmead Road, in the West Heath area, when two “large” dogs charged towards him. One grabbed his throat, the other his legs. Katie's father, Mick, 70, managed to force the dogs away, but Loki was left with deep bite wounds, snapped hind legs, and suffered a seizure.
The couple rushed Loki to the vet, where they were told the injuries had caused his heart and lungs to fail. They decided to have him put to sleep, as he would likely never walk or move normally again.
A special bond
Cole, a delivery driver, shared a “very special bond” with Loki, who never left his side after Cole “nearly died” in 2020 from cerebellitis. 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.”
Katie, a law graduate, added: “I don’t think we’ll ever feel pain like we felt that day. We don’t ever see a situation in life feeling as bad as this right now.”
Trauma and aftermath
The couple are seeking private therapy and Cole has been signed off work. They said the attack was captured on a neighbour's CCTV, and they reported it 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 more information can call 101 using crime number 20/338858/26.”
