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A distraught pet owner has spoken out after a vile video of her cat being kicked down the street was circulated on Snapchat.

Six-year-old Bella was seen in the video being callously booted in the air by a passerby.

Owner Julie Gilchrist, 45, of Dinnington, said she was sent the video after it was shared on Snapchat.

She said she wants to raise awareness about violence towards animals being shared online.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Julie said just hours after the cat was attacked, the video was already doing the round on Snapchat.

Julie said: "The video was posted on social media and it ended up being forwarded to my best friend's daughter and they made me aware of it.

"I was just horrified, I'm still absolutely distraught.

"When we saw it we went out looking for her and she was curled up hiding in a bush not far from where it happened.

"She was so frightened she tried to bite my husband when he picked her up.

"We got her home and she's sleeping but you can tell she's incredibly shaken up."

Julie - who is a full time carer for two her children - claims she knows who the people involved are and she said she intends to take it further, saying "I'm not just going to let this lie."

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

In August 2018, the Government toughened laws on animal cruelty.

Under the new framework, the maximum sentence for offenders who "commit the most heinous crimes" will rise from six months to five years.

Speaking about her disgust at the senseless act, Julie said: "She's a really lovely cat and is very trusting of people, especially kids - all my children and grandchildren absolute love her.

"She's happy just walking alongside people in the street and being stroked and you can see in the video that she didn't run away.

"These people have taken advantage that and hurt her for no reason."