THE owner of three dogs that allegedly killed a cat in New Milton last week has been told he can no longer keep them at his home.

It is understood that New Forest District Council has written to Ben Moody varying his tenancy agreement at his flat in Dinham Court, Poplar Road, Ashley.

As well as not being allowed to keep them at the flat, he has to keep any of his animals in the vicinity under proper control and has been advised to hand the dogs over to the council's dog warden.

Pauline Lewis, assistant housing manager, estates, at the district council, said council policy was not to give any information on individual cases.

However, she did say: "We are currently looking into the matter and are looking into any breaches of tenancy agreements which may have occurred."

And she said the council was working in partnership with the police. "It is getting our full attention," she added.

Neighbours claim the dogs, thought to be a Rottweiller and a pair of bull mastiffs, had been kept in Mr Moody's flat all day, were only exercised in the evenings and then left alone again while Mr Moody spent the night at another address.

Last Wednesday, it is alleged, while being walked by Mr Moody on a single extending lead, the dogs attacked Socks, the 18-month-old cat belonging to three-year-old Ross, the son of Susan Lockyer and Barry Richardson.

Ross, his younger brother Christopher and 10-year-old sister Angel, saw the cat being mauled to death by the dogs while Mr Moody watched outside their Dinham Court home.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said statements were currently being collected and Mr Moody was going to be visited by the RSPCA.

Susan Lockyer said her children are still upset by the incident and are having trouble sleeping at night.