AN 82-year-old woman spoke this week of her heartbreak after magistrates ordered her to destroy her sole companion, a ten-year-old Doberman cross.

Kathleen Smith, of Glyndebourne Close, Bemerton Heath, is bewildered and upset at the ruling ordering her to have Kim put down.

The decision was taken after Salisbury magistrates ruled that Mrs Smith, who lives alone and has no surviving family, had lost control of the dangerous dog.

She wants to appeal against the 'harsh' decision but is due in Salisbury District Hospital next month for treatment for cancer.

Furthermore, as she does not qualify for legal aid, her solicitor has advised her against pursuing the case on financial grounds.

"It seems such a harsh decision," said Mrs Smith. "She has never hurt anyone and I think the law is wrong in this case."

Magistrates made the ruling after listening to witnesses describe two attacks on a cat at Bemerton Heath.

Mrs Smith argues that Kim was trying to protect her when she twice attacked Benjamin, a neighbour's Persian cat.

"I'm not sure what I would have done without Kim these past few years. I'll miss her terribly," she said.