A DOG killed a cat in a devastating attack in front of primary school children in Colchester.

Japanese Akita dog Una savaged 16-year-old tabby cat Rambo in the attack outside Kings Ford Junior School, off Gloucester Avenue.

Andrew Johnson and Katy Johnson unleashed Japanese Akita dog Una on Rambo in front of kids as they were going to school.

The pair, aged 28 and 27 respectively, of St Barbara’s Road, in Colchester, were given community orders when they appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

As part of the order, Andrew Johnson was ordered to complete 95 hours unpaid work while Katy Johnson must complete 75 hours unpaid work, after Nickolas Chilvers, chair of the bench, acknowledged she was less to blame than her husband.

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said the attack was particularly terrible because it took place in front of children.

“This was a particularly galling attack,” she said.

“For a couple to set a dog on a cat not only in front of their own children but outside a school is particularly appalling."

The incident was reported to the RSPCA by parents whose children had witnessed the attack, on September 6 last year.

Both defendants admitted causing unecessary suffering to an animal and causing an animal fight to take place, and apologised for their actions.

Andrew Johnson was ordered to pay £75 compensation to the victim, who was not named in court, and must also pay full court costs of £1,613.43.

Family pet Una 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.