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Shocking CCTV footage shows a man filming a cat on his phone as he gives the terrified creature a vicious kick.

The footage shows the man approach the cat at the Hatters Hostel, in Mount Pleasant, Liverpool city centre, and kick it for no other reason than to get a sick thrill.

He then goes back and kicks it again before casually walking off, the Liverpool Echo reported.

Will Carey from the backpackers' hostel said the cat, called Catters, has been a favourite with visitors since 2008.

He said: “He’s our resident cat. Thankfully he’s fine after the incident - just a bit traumatised.”

General manager Paul Mercer said: “Before this he would have no problems coming up to people and sitting on their lap, he’s a very friendly cat. But now he's very wary."

Staff at the hostel are appealing for anyone who recognises the man to come forward.

Mr Mercer said the man was not staying at the hostel but instead walked in from the street late last Saturday evening.

He said: “I think he had come in and asked to use the toilet. Staff at the time saw it happen, they were gutted and very angry."

The hostel is now appealing for anyone who recognises the man to come forward.

Paul added: “It’s disgraceful that someone can do this to an animal. Catters has been here a long time. We feed him and the guests feed him, he’s part of the furniture.

“The residents love him, they like to see him walking about. He even has his own little house out the back that we’ve built for him.”

Paul said staff reported the incident to the RSPCA on the recommendation of police.

No one from the RSPCA was available to comment.