BRISTOL, Conn. -- Having recently lost one of her pet cats, a Bristol woman said Monday that feral cats should be feared.

Resident Barbara Orzell said a black and white tomcat weighing about 25 pounds killed one of her cats. She said she's been trying to get animal control to do something about the tomcat, but that she hasn't had much luck.

The Bristol resident said she still has Lady Harley and Salem, but that her precious Gizmo is gone.

"The cat pushed its way into the patio, and then attacked my cat," she said.

After the attack, she said, Gizmo was feeling sick and suddenly died.

Orzell said she called animal control and was told that if a dog had attacked her cat, they may have been able to do something.

But, she said, they can't do anything with a feral cat.

Feral cats are stray cats that are untamed and breed in the wild, officials said. Many are abandoned by owners who no longer want them.

Now, Orzell said, she's worried about her cats and children in the neighborhood.