Disturbing footage has been released of two youths luring a cat out from underneath a van so that they could set a dog on him.

Sully’s owner has spoken about their heartbreak after the two teenage boys, who cannot be named, were spared jail.

They only realised what had happened to Sully when they checked CCTV after he failed to return home in Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales in early May.

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Two boys aged 15 and 17 have been spared a custodial sentence (Picture: RSPCA)

That footage has now been released by the RSPCA after two boys, aged 17 and 15, were given a referral order.


The cat’s owner, who did not want to be named, said: ‘We are absolutely heartbroken. Sully was so happy, and was a member of our family. His killing by these cruel people brings shame to Merthyr Tydfil. This was a heinous act.’

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One of the youths can be seen hitting the Bengal type cat from underneath a car using a stick.



The other boy then releases the dog to catch and kill the 13-year-old cat after a short chase.

Sully’s dead body was found in the bushes – after one of the offenders had tossed his remains away.

One of the boys can be seen hitting the cat with a stick to entice it out from under a car (Picture: RSPCA)

RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said: ‘The shock and horror I felt when I first witnessed this CCTV footage has remained with me. This was a disturbing, harrowing and deeply sinister attack which would have caused immense suffering to poor Sully.

‘It is frightening to think two children would set out to do something so deliberately cruel. It appears the dog had been trained to kill like this.

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‘We know most people across Merthyr and beyond will be disgusted by the treatment of an innocent, defenceless cat in this way.

‘This was a premeditated attack, seemingly done for the boys’ fun and pleasure, for which the RSPCA had to seek justice. The actions of these individuals has left a family broken and without their beloved pet cat and family member of 13 years.’

They boys have been banned from keeping animals for 10 years and told to pay £300 in costs each. The dog involved is now with the RSPCA until he is ready to be rehomed.

One of the boys was seen carrying the cat down the street before throwing it over a hedge (Picture: RSPCA)

Paying tribute to their cat, the owners added: ‘He was well-known and popular in the local area – always sitting on the path he’d get petted and fussed by people walking along the lane and regular dog walkers all knew him.

‘He’d regularly sneak into a neighbouring dental practice, and make friends with patients in the waiting room. Sully was a real character and was loved by all who met him. He was harmless and had never hurt anyone.

‘We all miss him so, so much. It was so strange for Sully to be missing. He’d gone to follow family members to the local park and was out and about as usual – but didn’t come home that day.

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‘We started to get worried, so I checked our CCTV cameras – and saw these boys walking with a dog and that’s when it all happened.

‘It was horrifying to watch. I was screaming at the screen for Sully to run for his life but the dog was just too fast for him. What I witnessed that day will never leave me – it was like watching one of my children being attacked. Sully was 13 years old and was one of our family members who spent every night curled up on our children’s beds and his senseless killing has affected them deeply.



‘Telling my wife and children he was dead was so, so hard. I will never forget watching the offenders revel in what they did, and will never forgive them for what they have done to us.

‘They threw poor Sully’s body into the bushes like a piece of junk; and I had to go and get the body, and get him cremated, to get some dignity for him. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.’

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