POLICE are compiling a dossier on a couple whose dogs are thought to be responsible for a series of savage attacks on other animals in Hendon.

Officers are working with specialist dog teams and the RSPCA to gather evidence on the alleged irresponsible handling of a family of Japanese akitas.

Frightened neighbours living close to Sunny Hill Park have reported seeing the large breed dogs regularly running unmuzzled and off a lead having apparently escaped from their owner's back garden.

Up to four of the dogs are believed to have hunted and killed a cat, and wounded two dogs in the park during an attack last month.

Kim Brown, of Rowsley Avenue, claimed it was her eight-year-old cat Mylo that was killed in the park, and called for action to be taken against the owners of the dogs.

She said people are “really frightened” when the dogs are roaming the park and the owners often struggle to control the pets.

Ms Brown added: “I have never felt threatened around here until I was forced to protect one of my cats from these dogs.

“When I was confronted with four of them I felt very vulnerable.

“A little cat does not stand a chance against those types of dogs. If nothing happens, then Mylo's death is in vein.”

Some neighbours have documented a series of attacks on other animals over the past few months, and many have been interviewed by police, who have confirmed they are looking at taking action against the owners.

Officers said they can not pursue criminal proceedings under the dangerous dogs act as the attacks have so far been dog on dog. But they hope to secure permission from the courts to present a civil case to the Crown Prosecution Service under the Dogs Act 1871, which could result in the pet being destroyed if it is found not to have been kept under proper control.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named for fear of repercussions, said her 11-year-old border collie, Lucy, required stitches after being attacked by one of the escaped akitas in April.

She said: “They have shown they are killers and not just pets.

“The dogs come into my garden quite a lot. They ferociously dragged my dog across the garden.

“We are scared about what the dogs could do to us. This has been going on for a long time and a lot of people around here feel the police should do more.”

Officers from operation BARK (Barnet Action for Responsible K9s) have also been working with Barnet Council officers to check on the conditions in which the dogs are living.

The Kennel Club have also been involved in discussions over the possible removal of the licence for the owners to breed Akitas.