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A Co Antrim woman has claimed youths kicked her pet cat to death in a vicious attack.

Lynne Campbell, from Crumlin, has been left distraught after she claims her pet cat Tom was kicked like a football and died days later.

Ms Campbell told Belfast Live seven-year-old Tom died from internal injuries days after returning to her home earlier this month in a bad way.

The grandmother-of-seventeen said she was then contacted by a neighbour who reportedly saw two teenage boys kicking Tom like a football.

"She saw what had happened and she called me after I had found Tom," said Lynne, who owned a dry cleaning business in the town.

"He had made it home and I thought something was wrong but I did not realise at the time."

Lynne took Tom to the vets and was told he was very ill and the situation was "touch and go".

Tom had been let out of the house on Friday October 16 and was attacked that night before returning home in the early hours of Saturday morning. He died just days later on Wednesday, October 21 from his injuries.

"He suffered for quite some time," she said.

"I was gutted, he was such a lovely cat, all the school children loved him."

Lynne, who also has pet dog Brisl, said she could not believe it when her neighbour called. She said she was even more shocked when her neighbour revealed her own cat Smudge had also been attacked in a similar way and later died.

"She thought the two boys were playing football with him", said Lynne," a mum of five.

"I was gutted. She said one kicked him across to the other and caught him in mid-air and kicked him back.

"He managed to get under a car but they were trying to get him out. She realised it was not a football they were playing with and went out and they ran away.

"She thought they looked about 15 or 16, that's what I can not understand, what they were doing out so late. I just don't understand it.

"I can't believe anyone would be so cruel."

A spokeswoman for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said: "The Animal Welfare service of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council received a report of alleged animal neglect in the Crumlin area.

"This report has been looked into and an investigation is ongoing."