Alaska died on Sunday after being hit by a car; he famously would scare off any passing dogs

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ALASKA the white tomcat, earned an enviable reputation around the streets of Dartmouth Park.

The eye-catching feline, who was tragically killed by a hit and run driver on Sunday, was known for his no-nonsense approach to any dog who walked around the streets he called home.

With fangs bared and claws out, Alaska showed on a daily basis which four-legged creature was the real boss in NW5 and the pooches hurried away.

He nonchalantly accepted the hospitality of numerous households who served up a wide range of treats, and would hold court on a garden wall every day at 3.30pm, ready to receive the affection of pupils from Dartmouth Park schools, who made a point each day of seeing how Alaska was getting on.

But on Sunday morning, tragedy struck. His injured body was found by a passer-by after Alaska had been it by a car at the junction of Laurier Road and Dartmouth Park Avenue.

No one has admitted responsibility.

Alaska, a pet belonging to the Bibi family, was brought to the area as a kitten during lockdown by a relative as a present.

Asma Bibi told the New Journal: “He was so beautiful, so calm and so nice. My children absolutely loved him and he was such a big character. Everyone round here knew him.”

She recalled how on Sunday morning Alaska, aged two and a half, had been begging to be let out. An hour later, the family received a knock on the door with a neighbour coming to share bad news.

Ms Bibi said: “We are extremely upset. The driver should have stopped and tried to find us. It happened on our road and everyone knew where Alaska lived. “This is not a road where it is possible to drive fast and I suspect they were driving without care.”

Actor Fay Ripley, who lives near Alaska’s family, told the New Journal: “It has shattered the street. That cat was in and out of all our houses. He’d get in our cars and come for a drive – he used to come on the school run with me or to the train station to pick up someone.”

Alaska was bold, and wore his courage on his white-furry legs.

Ms Ripley added: “He was utterly fearless, seeing off the dogs in the street.”

Alaska was known for not being a case of all meow and no trousers.

Over Christmas, in a paw fight, he beat a Staffordshire Bull Terrier who had taken too close an interest. The dog suffered various scratches and its owner could not persuade the defeated canine to walk down York Rise, where the incident happened, again.

As well as baring teeth at those he didn’t take a fancy to, he would rub up against legs of those he deemed worthy.

Described as “traffic savvy”, the cat patrolled an unusually large beat. On weekends he could be found at La Sainte Union school, where a music college brings in hundreds of children. Alaska would wander through the school grounds, distracting pupils with his bold-as-brass beauty.

Ms Bibi said: “I really appreciate all the love shown to Alaska. We are devastated and would like to contact anyone who may have seen what happened.

“Alaska was famous. He had bundles of character and was part of our family. Our neighbours loved him, and he knew it. He was a very happy cat, very satisfied, and you could tell he knew everyone thought he was something special.”

Another neighbour added: “Alaska was the only cat my dog Rolo had given up trying to chase.”

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