THE DISTRAUGHT owner of a cat which police believe was killed by someone in York has slammed the “sick” thugs responsible.

Toni Dale, 33, of Monkton Road, said her car Kitkat had been killed just yards from her front door in Monkton Road.

North Yorkshire Police said on Monday that a resident of Monkton Road in York woke up to find a cat on his vehicle, and the animal had suffered head trauma which was not as a result of being hit by a vehicle.

Despite the efforts of a local vet, Kitkat died, and Toni has urged anyone with information about the "pure evil, sick, twisted individuals", responsible for his death to contact her or police.

Toni said: "My neighbour said he heard Kitkat crying then heard people but assumed it was a cat fight in the street.

"I just want people to come forward. It's not normal behaviour. You hear about psychopaths and this is how they start out. What happens if they go on to do something worse with another animal or a human, you just don't know. I haven't had a full night's sleep since."

A justgiving page has been set up to provide a reward for information, with £400 already raised, but Toni said the important thing was for anyone with information which could help police or prevent further incidents to come forward.

Toni said: "To anyone else he's just a cat but we've had him since he was born so it's really upsetting.

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

Anyone with information is asking to phone police on 101, quoting reference 12170175990.