OWNERS of a dog who savaged a cat to death in front of primary school pupils have been ordered to keep it muzzled at all times.

Andrew Johnson, 28, and his wife Katy Johnson, 26, from Colchester, both pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a cat, inciting a dog to attack and having a dangerous dog when they appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The charges came after they encouraged their Japanese Akita dog, Yuna, to attack an elderly cat in front of a group of schoolchildren as the couple were collecting their own child from a school in Colchester in September 2012.

The cat, a 16-year-old tabby called Rambo, later died from his extensive injuries.

RSPCA inspector Rosie Russon said the attack was particularly terrible because it happened in front of children.

She added: “This was an appalling, horrendous attack on poor Rambo - deliberately allowed by the Johnsons who let their dog Yuna off the lead and encouraged her to attack the cat.

“To do this in front of a group of schoolchildren is unbelievably callous and irresponsible.”

The incident was reported to the RSPCA by parents whose children had witnessed the attack on September 6 last year. Magistrates handed the pair community orders with Mr Johnson, who serves with the Royal Logistics Corps, ordered to do 95 hours of unpaid work and Mrs Johnson to complete 75 hours.

They were also ordered to pay £1,613 in prosecution costs and £75 compensation to the owner of the cat, who was not named.

Family pet Yuna was also made the subject of a control order which means she must be muzzled and on a short lead at all times when out of the house.