Cat beaten to death in York – reward launched to find his killers

This is Kitkat – the beloved pet of Toni Dale and her family.

She let Kitkat out of the house at 1am on Sunday (October 1).

A few hours later someone found the body of Kitkat on the bonnet of a van in Monkton Road, York. He had been beaten to death.

Now the police are appealing for the public’s help in their investigation, as the distraught owner has condemned those responsible as “evil, sick, twisted individuals”.

Meanwhile an appeal is raising a £600 reward to go to anyone who can help find Kitkat’s killers.

‘Three heartbroken kids’

Toni, who lives close by to where her cat was found, says that the man who discovered him “dead on his van covered in blood said he’s never seen anything like it”.

“He was so kind natured and loving and he was part of our family,” Toni said on Facebook.

“I have three heartbroken kids and I’m heartbroken myself to think what pain he must of been in before he was dumped on top of someone’s van to die.”

The news caused outrage. “This is shocking, disgusting, upsetting and is making my blood boil. These thugs, and they don’t even deserve to be called that, need locking up & the key throwing away,” said Claire Chambers.

“So so sad, why would anyone want to hurt a defenceless pussy cat, who ever did this needs to be found out before they inflict this on any other animals or a child,” said Becky Smith.

Not a traffic accident

York police today confirmed the pet was found dead on the bonnet of a parked vehicle on Monkton Road.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “A vet who examined the cat concluded it had suffered a massive head trauma that is not consistent with a traffic collision.”

It was reported to police at 11.40am the same day.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

How to help the police