Police are hunting for a man who was caught on CCTV brutally killing a pet cat with his bare hands before making off with its body.
Tom cat Toulouse was initially enticed over and stroked by the brute, who quickly turned violent and began beating the defenceless animal against the ground before throwing it off a bridge.
The scuffle alerted Toulouse’s owner, Alex Greenwell, 64, who investigated the noise, but it wasn’t until reviewing the security footage that the full horror of the attack came to light.
After seemingly killing the beloved pet, the man retrieved Toulouse’s body and mercilessly stuffed the eight-year-old animal into his backpack, before strolling off in a ‘cool and collected’ manner.
Police are hunting for a man (pictured) who was caught on CCTV brutally killing a pet cat with his bare hands before making off with its body
Tom cat Toulouse (pictured) was initially enticed over and stroked by the brute, who quickly turned violent and began beating the defenceless animal against the ground before throwing it off a bridge
Now a heartbroken Alex, his partner Elizabeth Liddle and his three children Fern, 31, Fraser, 30, and Elena, 28, are appealing for anyone who recognises the man to contact police, after the attack last night at around 6.30pm, on Stratford Road, Heaton, Newcastle.
Alex, a retired joiner, said: ‘Viewing the CCTV was like watching Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
‘It was completely ruthless and I don’t know how I’m going to ever get over the horror of it.
‘I’ve had to watch my cat being lured, attacked, pursued and killed before my eyes.
‘He enticed Toulouse and gave him a stroke, then he beat him up and threw him over the fence.
Alex Greenwell, 64, was horrified to see on CCTV his pet cat Toulouse being beaten by an unknown man
‘He must have thought that was it finished but then heard him crying so he’s climbed in, finished the cat off, threw him back over the fence then he’s picked him up, stuffed him into his knapsack and took the cat away in his backpack.
‘He did it meticulously. He was cool, calm and collected. I’d heard the commotion – not the cat but I heard the gate rattle – and by the time I’ve got down there he’s zipping his bag up.
‘I asked him what he was up to and he said: “Nothing. I’m not doing anything.” Then he just scarpered off with Toulouse in his backpack.
‘He was well spoken. I thought he might have been stealing something but I’d never have expected this.’
Toulouse (pictured) was very much part of the Greenwell family and they are calling on the public to contact the police if they recognise the man in the CCTV
Toulouse was very much part of the Greenwell family, and Alex is now trying to come to terms with the loss.
He said: ‘He was a friendly cat and he loved people so he would have thought nothing of going over for a stroke.
‘Kids used to come to the fence to stroke him and give him treats – I can’t believe someone is capable of doing this to a living thing.
‘He was a part of me – a great cat and companion and I don’t know how long it’s going to take me to adjust to life without him.
‘It’s very upsetting to say the least.’
Outside Alex Greenwell’s property in Heaton, Newcastle, where the attack happened, there are clear signs that CCTV is there
Neighbourhood Sergeant Craig Brown, of Northumbria Police, said: ‘We have reviewed CCTV that shows the attack and it really is horrific and unprovoked.
‘It does not appear that Toulouse has survived the ordeal and it is even more upsetting for the owner’s that the offender has then taken the body away.
‘Cases of animal cruelty are police matters and we are treating this attack as a criminal offence.
‘We know that it will cause concern among pet owners, and the wider community, and we want to reassure you that we are taking it seriously.
‘Today we are releasing CCTV of a man we need to speak to and we would ask anyone who may know who he is to get in touch with us.’
Anyone who knows the man, or has information that could assist police, should report it online at the Northumbria Police website quoting log 860 10/12/20.
You can also call police on 101 or contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.