Devastation for Coventry family after pet kitten 'battered to death with a wrench'

It is alleged someone pulled up in a car and attacked the 11-month-old cat unprovoked while a second person filmed



A family in Coventry has been left devastated after their 11-month-old kitten was allegedly killed by a man with a wrench. Local mum Sinead got a knock on the door from a neighbour last week telling her their family pet named Baby was dead after an attack which is said to have been filmed by a laughing accomplice.

Police are making enquiries, after the sickening incident, which has left Sinead's two children "so upset". Officers have spoken to witnesses and gathered CCTV in a bid to find out what happened to Baby.

Speaking about the kitten, Sinead said: "She was so cute. She loved to play with our French bulldog. She loved her toys and she loved a cuddle. My children are aged seven and five - they are so upset about losing their kitten. We're gutted. She fitted into our family perfectly and we all miss her.

She added: "My neighbour knocked my door in the morning to tell me they had seen a man brutally hitting the cat with a metal looking tool - they described it as a wrench. Apparently the man was wearing a black hat and jacket. A young girl with him was filming it and laughing - I don't understand what goes through people's heads."

The police were called to the scene but by the time they arrived Baby was dead on the side of the road. A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called after a cat was found dead in Alliance Way, Coventry on 23 April.

"Officers attended and carried out enquiries including speaking to witnesses and gathering CCTV evidence to try and establish the exact circumstances of what happened.

"Anyone with more information about what happened can contact us via 101 or Live Chat quoting crime number 20/220297/25."

Cats Protection Associate Director of Advocacy, Campaigns and External Affairs, Madison Rogers, said: "We are sickened and horrified to hear of the vicious attack on Baby. All animals are sentient beings and should be treated with kindness and respect and yet Baby was subjected to a level of violence that should be condemned, rather than being callously filmed in the name of entertainment. This was a cruel, needless act which has taken the life of a much-loved young cat and our thoughts are with Sinead at this distressing time.

“Owners have every right to expect their pets will be cared for by the public when they venture away from home and causing a cat unnecessary suffering is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Anybody harming cats, threatening to harm them or acting suspiciously around them should be reported to the local police and/or the RSPCA via their cruelty line 0300 1234 999 or by visiting http://www.rspca.org.uk/reportaconcern.”