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There has been an outpour of anger after the RSPCA shared shocking footage of the moment a man 'encouraged' his dog to maul a domestic cat.

The happened after an intruder entered a front garden with a torch, yards from the spot where the cat was sitting on a wall.

Following the incident - which took place on Woodlands Crescent in Walsall - the public have called for serious action to be taken against the perpetrator.

After Black Country Live shared the story, readers flocked to the comments section to express their disgust.

(Image: RSPCA)

One person commented: "If he is identified and prosecuted the dog will be unable to be re-homed and euthanised. So two animals will die because of this scum bag."

Another read: "Hope they catch him soon and give him the punishment he deserves. Evil b*****d."

Someone else said: "Please if you know who he is do the right thing and report him. If you don't someone else's cat will be next."

However others feared it, the next potential victim may not be an animal. One said: "Someone knows who this b****** is. Please don't protect him, he is just evil. He has clearly trained that dog to attack, next time it could be a baby or a child."

Speaking to the RSPCA, the cats owner, Gary Truefitt said: “I noticed my gate was left open, which was suspicious, so I decided to check the CCTV and was completely shocked by what I found. I was very upset, I went to my neighbour's house as I didn’t know what to do.

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“Cleo will be very much missed, she was a daft cat in lots of ways and would lie along the driveway, even when there were cars about but she was a companion to me. It’s just awful to think of her being attacked in this way.”

RSPCA trainee inspector Fiona Howell said: “This is an extremely disturbing incident and we’d like to find out who this individual is as soon as possible.

“We believe there may also be offences of ‘lamping’ shown here and are also liaising with the police."

Lamping is when an animal is transfixed in a powerful beam, before a dog or gun is used to kill them. Farmers and landowners are believed to use the method to control foxes, rats and rabbits.

The attack happened on October 23, but an appeal has only just been released.

Anyone who recognises the individual in this footage can contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

To keep up-to-date with crime in your community, join the Black Country Crime Watch Facebook group where you will be alerted to any suspicious or criminal behaviour happening in your area.

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