Police say investigations are now “moving at pace” after a dog killed two cats in separate attacks in north Watford.

A big Akita breed savaged a cat in a woman’s lounge in Harris Road on September 8, before what is believed to be the same dog struck again in nearby Ross Crescent, by Leavesden, on October 19.

Today (October 30), a force spokesperson told the Watford Observer: “Investigations are still ongoing and now moving at pace, and we are currently working with the dog owner in order to locate the dog.

“A Detective Sergeant is working with evidence we have amassed currently to ensure positive action follows.”

Posters were put around the area the area warning of the dog attacks (picture is of similar breed).Posters were put around the area the area warning of the dog attacks (picture is of similar breed). (Image: Submitted) Stevie Eason, daughter of the homeowner in the first mauling, previously said the family was “extremely frustrated” by the police response which saw no arrests or dog seizure made.

Weeks later the second cat was killed – prompting officers to insist investigations were ongoing to find the dog and owner.

Vivien has been left traumatised after the dog burst into her home and mauled her neighbour's cat, Frank, to death.Vivien has been left traumatised after the dog burst into her home and mauled her neighbour's cat, Frank, to death. (Image: Submitted) During the first attack, the loose dog bolted through an open back door into the Harris Road property, near Leavesden, having got in the garden through a gap.

It then mauled the cat – which belonged to her neighbour – leaving its “guts hanging out” in the front room.

Homeowner Vivien Tree ran outside in tears and saw a man holding a dog lead, who she claimed offered a bag for the cat before saying “that’s cats and dogs”.

Reflecting on the ordeal at the time, the 67-year-old said: “I’m absolutely horrified – petrified. That could have been a child, or it could have been me if I hadn’t of got out the house.

“I still see pictures now in my head of the poor cat there with his guts hanging out. It wasn’t just shaken, he’d had his guts ripped out.”

The cat’s owner previously said she knew who owned the dog and had reported it to police, adding: “It’s awful, I just think that could have been a child – that’s my main concern.

“Obviously it’s terrible that it was my cat, but if that was my child she wouldn’t be able to fight off a dog that size on her own.”