Awful people: This man and his wife released attack dog to rip cat apart in front of children (PICTURED)

A soldier and his wife encouraged their dog to rip a cat apart in front of horrified primary school pupils, a court heard.

Andrew and Katy Johnson were passing the school with their powerfully-built Japanese Akita dog, Yuna, when they spotted the cat.

As children waited to be picked up by their parents at the school gates, the couple unleashed the dog and set her on the 16-year-old tabby.

Cruel: Andrew and Katy Johnson let their Japanese Akita kill an elderly cat in front of schoolchildren

Attack dog: A Japanese Akita like the one which mauled the 16-year-old tabby

The vicious animal locked her jaws around the cat’s neck and killed her as pupils from King’s Ford Junior School in Colchester, Essex, looked on.

The couple then put their dog, called Yuna, back on her lead and left without trying to get veterinary help for the animal.

Stunned parents said their children were left sickened after witnessing the gruesome attack.

ATTACK DOGS WHO HAVE MAULED TODDLERS ACROSS BRITAIN

Japanese Akitas have been responsible for mauling children across Britain.

But despite a history of violent attacks, they are not counted as dangerous animals which are controlled under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

They are instead classed as a fighting breed.

Akitas can weigh up to nine stone and originate from the mountainous northern region of Japan. Their distinctive appearance has led to them being compared to wolves.

Enthusiasts claim that in ancient times mothers in Japan relied heavily on their pet Akitas to take care of their young child. In 1931, the Akita was officially declared one of Japan’s national treasures.

The Akita is a large, strong, independent dog that is territorial and known for their fierce protectiveness.

But in Britain, Trafford-James Jackson-Poole, three, was left needing more than 100 stitches after being mauled by an Akita in a pub in January.

It was just the latest in a series of attacks carried out by the fighting dogs.

Appearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, Johnson, 28, who serves with the Royal Logistics Corps, and his 27-year-old wife pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a cat, inciting a dog to attack and having a dangerous dog.

Nicholas Chilvers, chairman of the bench, sentenced Johnson to do 95 hours unpaid work in the community. His wife was told to complete 75 hours. The couple – who apologised to the court – were also ordered to keep their dog muzzled and on a short lead while out in public.

Speaking outside court, RSPCA inspector Rosie Russon said: ‘This was an appalling and horrendous attack.

‘The Johnsons deliberately let their dog off the lead and encouraged her to attack the cat. And to do this in front of a group of schoolchildren is unbelievably callous and irresponsible.’

She thanked the parents who reported the attack. Carri Taylor’s eight-year-old son witnessed the killing on September 6.

She said: ‘There were a lot of children coming out of the school at the time and they all saw it. My son was so shocked.

‘I am glad they were prosecuted – there are a lot of bad dog owners who terrorise cats and sometimes small children, scaring them.

‘I hope this sends a message to other dog owners.’

Gruesome: The couple has been walking their dog in front of the school when they set it loose on an elderly cat and encouraged the animals to fight

Victim: The 16-year-old tabby cat which got mauled to death in front of the young schoolchildren

Johnson was ordered to pay £75 compensation to the owner of the cat, called Rambo, and £1,613 prosecution costs.

Yesterday at his married quarters close to Colchester Barracks, Johnson complained that the sentences were ‘unfair’.

He said: ‘Now we cannot go anywhere without fingers pointing. It will affect my career. I could possibly lose my job. Yuna has been to obedience lessons, there is nothing wrong with her whatsoever.

‘She was a rescue dog and before we owned her she was beaten by her previous owner, but we got her trust.’

Japanese Akitas are powerful dogs that can weigh more than nine stone. They were originally bred to attack bears.

Earlier this year, a three-year-old boy needed 100 stitches to his face and suffered a fractured eye socket when he was mauled by one at a pub in Newbold, Derbyshire.

Last night an RSPCA spokesman, questioned about why Yuna had not been destroyed, said decisions about whether an animal was put down were made on a case by case basis.