h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm boarding a Greyhound today, so I took him and my two straight out for a walk as soon as he arrived. On the way home B (the boarder) lunged sideways and Fred swiftly followed - there was a cat sitting in the garden we were passing. It pawed at Fred, who withdrew, but B grabbed for him, and then Beauty grabbed him as well. I managed to get B off the cat, and passers-by helped take him and Fred away, but I had to pretty much strangle Beauty to make her let go.

There was no happy ever after for the cat.

I feel terrible, the dogs were too strong for me to prevent them pulling forward, and as the cat didn't run I just couldn't keep them away from it. I'm supposed to take care of pets, not allow them to kill each other.

I've left my details with the vet, who will be scanning it for a microchip later. I've knocked on the doors in the area, and the cat does not belong to any of them. I have to admit to being too scared to do what I know I should do - put posters up and try to find the owner, because of my job. It's hardly a good advert. I also have to break it to B's owners tomorrow when he goes home. Wow, what a fabulous pet care provider I am.

I'm going to have to muzzle Beauty when walking her through the streets with other greyhounds - she's walked past loads of cats with me before, and although interested I've been able to stay in control, it was because another greyhound was leading, she just had to follow.

Don't take it personally. They are greyhounds, doing what greyhounds do - when they see something, they want to go for it. And unless they've been trained by you, there's no way you are going to be able to pull it back, especially not if you are walking other dogs too.

Yes, muzzle them when walking them to prevent incidents like that.

Beauty was muzzled when I first got her, but as she came under close control I dropped it. I think it's because there were two greyhounds - she does act differently around them.