Cathedral cat suspected of attacking dogs

Louis, a 17-year-old ginger tom, has become a beloved feature of Wells cathedral in Somerset. But Louis has found himself in a bit of bother after a cat answering his description was accused of a series of rather nasty attacks on dogs in the peaceful city. The owner of one alleged canine victim, Mandie Stone-Outten, said her springer spaniel Millie was targeted in Market Place close to the cathedral. “This dangerous, semi-feral cat pounced like a wild lion in the jungle on to my dog Millie’s head,” she said. “It all happened really quickly. I pulled the lead backwards and went flying down the kerb, into the gutter and ended up in a heap in muddy rainwater, in the gulley in the market place. That cat has serious issues.



“Be aware – this ball of fluff is not as cute and cuddly as he looks. I’ve got a battered elbow, battered knee and a sore wrist,” added Stone-Outten, from Shepton Mallet, Somerset. She added: “I think that cat has got history; it was far too good for that to have been his first attack - he knows what he’s doing. A couple of people told me it was Louis the cathedral cat and that he was semi-feral and he did sometimes go a bit crazy. A lot of people have told me that they’ve never seen him like this before, but I think they’re just trying to protect him.” Louis began living at the great 12th century church a decade ago to keep any mice at bay. He has become so popular he has even starred in a children’s book called Louis the Cathedral Cat and features in a range of merchandise including clocks, coasters and wine-stoppers available in the gift shop.



Debbie Sheppard, who works at the Present Company in Market Place, saw the aftermath of the Millie incident – and spotted Louis stalking off looking “very subdued.” She said: “Louis likes to sleep in here and he had been in here on the day in question. It was nearing the end of the day and so I put Louis outside so he didn’t get locked in here overnight. The next thing I heard was this hissing and when I looked outside Louis was walking up the street looking very subdued.” Sheppard insisted Louis was a very nice, gentle animal. “He’s a very sweet cat and I certainly don’t think he’s suddenly turned nasty.” The last time she saw Louis he was being stroked by children on their way to school – and definitely not lashing out.



There have been at least two other attacks involving a ginger tom around the cathedral but there is a chance that it could all be a case of mistaken identify. Debbie added: “I’ve heard there is another ginger cat around at the moment and it’s quite possible that it’s him attacking dogs. We don’t know for sure whether or not Louis was involved. Louis had definitely been in the shop just before the incident happened outside, but it could have been a different cat.” A spokesperson for Wells Cathedral said Louis could be a little distant but had not been known to be aggressive. She said: “It’s difficult to say whether it was Louis, unfortunately. While he can be rather aloof with our visitors, we know of at least two other ginger cats in the area who also enjoy strolling through the streets of Wells. Most importantly, we do hope the dog and her owner have recovered from the experience which must have been a shock for them both.”