A DISTRESSED mother is urging families to beware after her three-year-old child was mauled by a cat.

Belinda Taylor said her son Lewis would be "scarred for life" after being scratched and bitten on the face and arm when he went to stroke the cat.

Lewis was taken to hospital and needed stitches on his upper lip and a bandage putting on his arm. He has also been put on a course of antibiotics.

Mrs Taylor, of Primrose Grove, Selby, said: "I left Lewis out in the back garden for a matter of minutes when I heard him screaming. He had blood pouring out of his mouth where the cat had got him and was scratched everywhere.

"It was a savage attack - he could have lost an eye or anything.

"I contacted the police and council but was told there was nothing they could do," Mrs Taylor said.

Selby District Council dog warden Bill Parker said there was no specific legislation giving them enforceable powers to deal with cats.

Updated: 10:52 Friday, August 24, 2001