AS concerns mount over the growing trend of dog-fighting in Waltham Forest, new fears have emerged over the number of cats going missing in the area.

After an emaciated dog was found dead, dumped in a pile of rubbish, fears increased over the existence of an illegal dog-fighting ring.

Now, as cats have started to disappear in Waltham Forest, residents are beginning to worry that the missing moggies are being used as bait to train the dogs.

A man from Leytonstone, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Cats have been going missing since last August.

"Mine went missing and came back with some quite appalling injuries.

"His canine teeth had been knocked out and he had a broken back leg."

The same resident also claimed that more than 100 cats had gone missing in the period since August 2007 and many returned with serious injuries.

"Nobody can tell me that a 100 and odd cats have been knocked over," he said.

But the council have countered the claims, saying no evidence exists to support them.

Councillor Afzal Akram said: "Neither the council nor the police has any evidence to support the assertion that this practice is occurring and the owners of the fighting dogs do not tend to train their animals by using cats as bait.

"However, if residents have any information relating to this or any other type of animal cruelty, we would urge them to contact our animal warden.

"We will assist the police and the RSPCA in their inquiries."

Do you have any information regarding animal cruelty? Call the Waltham Forest animal warden on 8496 3000 or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.