Do cats ever kill eachother?

Question
I adopted a stray cat with 3 kittens 2 months ago. She is an outdoor cat, and gets upset when I try to make her stay in. Her kittens are 9 or 10 weeks old, and since she was making a weird calling noise when ever she went out, I decided that I'd better have her fixed. I did so yesterday. I brought her home and she followed me onto my back patio when I went out there to put away her carrier. A stray cat that lives in the area came rushing around the corner and jumped on top of my cat. My cat ran into the woods behind my house. About an hour later, she was slowly and cautiously making her way back to the house when this stray cat was waiting for her beside my house, I didn't know he was there until he rushed back out and attacked her again. She fled into the woods and I heard her scream as he caught her. Then suddenly, the noise stopped and I was sure he had killed her. It was dark and I called a friend to bring flash lights and come help me search the woods. We found the attacker, and chased him out of the area. He kept coming back and we continued to search for my cat, and continuously chased him out of the area again and again for 2 hours. Finally my cat came out of the woods and ran into my house that I had left open for her. Not a scratch on her.

My friends say it sounds worse that it is. Cats make a lot of noise but mostly posture. This cat swiftly jumped on top of my cat twice in front of me. That didn't look like noise and posture. It looked like he intended to kill her. I am afraid to let her go out. My friends say they will work it out themselves. What do you think?

Really Scared,
Lou

Answer
Lou,

On very, very, very rare occasions one cat may kill another.  From what you are saying, this male wanted to breed your girl and she wanted no parts of this.  Cats do make a lot of noise and even loosen up fur when fighting. By the same token, cats make a lot of noise and even loosen up fur when playing.

I believe, from your description, the male probably wanted to breed her and she was not about to cooperate.  I would keep her indoors until the stitches from being spayed are out or you may end up with a big problem if they really get into it and he rakes her belly with his hind legs!

I will tell you that cats can make the most horrible noises when having an altercation.  Mostly cats make threatening noises and posture rather than fight.  In general, what I have seen is that an alpha female can back off any male cat!!!!!  

Good luck & best regards... Norm.