Thugs kill pet cat
A PET cat has died after thugs shot him in the face before stamping on his head and body.
Naomi CorriganMulti-media Journalist
Linda Stephenson from Yarm says she and her family cannot rest after the horrific attack on her eight-year-old pet Miro.
A neighbour found the traumatised animal in his greenhouse on Tuesday afternoon, put him in a box and returned him to his owners at their home in Denevale.
Mrs Stephenson rushed him to a vet, but he died a few hours later.
"When the kind gentleman brought him to our house, Miro was just staring into the corner of the box," said Mrs Stephenson, who volunteers at the Cats Protection charity shop.
"He had been shot in his face with an airgun, his eyes were weeping and his jaw was hanging down. The vet said it looked like his head and body had been stamped on and kicked.
"I am so upset, I can't take my mind off it."
Mrs Stephenson, 61, who lives with husband Peter, 59, and two of their three sons, said: "I am just so appalled and I know that people living around here will be horrified.
"I have always let my cats out because I always felt it was a safe area."
Issuing a plea for anyone with information to get in touch, she said: "Somebody must know who did this.
"It frightens me to think there are people out there capable of doing something like this."
The police and RSPCA have both been contacted about the attack and anyone with information should call PC McKinnell of Stockton Police on 01642 302226.