This is the horrifying moment an innocent cat was savagely kicked into a road by a passing brute.
The black, grey and white moggy died days later – with his heartbroken owner blaming the ‘awful' man after she came downstairs and found him earlier this week.
Lenny the cat can be seen minding his own business and calmly watching the cruel passer-by as he berated his dog.
Dressed in black trousers, a black sweater and a white shirt, the unknown man lashes out with his foot as he walks past the little cat – sending it flying into the air before he lands sprawling on the tarmac.
And now a police hunt is on for the thug who viciously attacked poor Lenny.
Speaking to MailOnline, Lenny's distraught owner said that he was the ‘street's cat' – and his friendly presence was a familiar comfort to the whole neighbourhood.
Dressed in black trousers, a black sweater and a white shirt, the unknown man lashes out with his foot as he walks past the little cat – sending it flying into the air before he lands sprawling on the tarmac
But as he passes the man suddenly looks down and lashes out – catching the poor moggy under its belly and booting it into the air
Lenny the cat can be seen minding his own business and calmly watching the cruel passer-by as he berated his dog.
His owner says visitors from the local area came by to check he was ok before Lenny died
She said: ‘At first I was just gobsmacked – I was like: ‘How can you do that?'
‘It's just a shock to a lot of people in the street. Even people that came around the area to walk their dogs – he wasn't even bothered.
‘So for that man to do what he did – he wouldn't have even gone up to his dog.
‘He's so used to people passing him and just being friendly.'
‘After it happened he stayed in the house a lot more, didn't want to go out. He just literally went downhill from there.'
The shocking footage shows the man initially approaching his Alsatian-type dog – appearing to shout: ‘Tasha! Here.'
He goes on to aggressively shake the pup after putting the lead on it – before it follows behind him, her head drooping.
As steps up to the pavement Lenny cautiously watches – keeping his distance as he calmly watches the scene.
The shocking footage shows the man initially approaching his Alsatian-type dog – appearing to shout: ‘Tasha! Here.' He goes on to aggressively shake the pup after putting the lead on it – before it follows behind him, her head drooping
As steps up to the pavement Lenny cautiously watches – keeping his distance as he calmly watches the scene
The popular moggy has left neighbours devastated – as even people who didn't like cats gather around the family for support
Lenny's owner says her house feels empty without him – and she misses him greeting her hello in the mornings
But as he passes the man suddenly looks down and lashes out – catching the poor moggy under its belly and booting it into the air.
Landing sprawling on the pavement, Lenny quickly scrambles under a parked car to safety as the man glowers and walks on.
His heartbroken owner continued: ‘It was shocking. And other people who have seen it – their reaction was exactly what mine was.
‘We've had him since he was a kitten, since he was a 12 weeks old. He's a very friendly cat – we've lived here 23 years and he was just over 20.
‘As much as a family cat he's the street's cat – anybody that walked past he would go up to and meow, just for a bit of attention.
‘Even when the police came, he meowed at them even though he was quite poorly by the time they came round.
‘After he was kicked we all noticed a lot of difference in him. He got slower and was just not him. He never used to want to be in all the time and he was in all the time.'
His owner says visitors from the local area came by to check he was ok before Lenny died.
Lenny's family only found out about the attack after looking at the Ring doorbell footage on their phones, and the attack has left her children, grandchildren and other cat Lily – Lenny's neice (left) – devastated.
Lenny was found dead by his owner on Monday, after she woke up in the night with a premonition that she needed to see him
The popular moggy has left neighbours devastated – as even people who didn't like cats gather around the family for support.
Lenny's family only found out about the attack after looking at the Ring doorbell footage on their phones, and the attack has left her children, grandchildren and other cat Lily – Lenny's niece – devastated.
She continued: ‘I think I just want to know what was going around in his head to do something like that.
‘I just think its awful. It's very frustrating and upsetting just to see it.
‘For him to be allowed to keep his own dog with how he treated it in the street – I dread to think what it's like behind closed doors.
‘My older boy who lives at home now – he just couldn't believe it when I told him.
‘It feels a bit empty. I'm used to him in the morning – he comes in the door and gives me a meow to say ‘morning'.
‘On Monday I woke up at half one in the morning – I just had a feeling. I thought: ‘I need to go and see Lenny.'
‘I came down the stairs and he was on his mat and Lily had just darted to the door to come out. I think she sort of knew.
‘I know he was old but I do think the kick had something to do with it.'
Warwickshire police have said they received a report of a man kicking a cat in Hastang Fields, Leamington at around 6.56am on September 16th and urged members of the public to come forward with any information.
Cats Protection's Head of Advocacy, Campaigns and Government Relations Madison Rogers said: ‘This footage is utterly sickening to watch and will be distressing for any animal lover.
‘It is horrific to see Lenny being subjected to such a callous and needless attack, and we are incredibly sad to hear he later died following this incident.
‘Cats are much-loved pets, and owners have every right to believe their pet will be treated with respect and care by other people. Treating any animal in the appalling way seen in this video is completely unacceptable in our society.
‘Causing a cat unnecessary suffering is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and anybody harming cats, threatening to harm them or acting suspiciously around them should be reported to the local community police officer and/or the RSPCA via their cruelty line 0300 1234 999.'
An RSPCA spokesperson said: ‘This footage is extremely distressing and upsetting to watch, and we offer our sympathy and condolences to Lenny's owners on the loss of their elderly pet.
‘We would urge anyone with first-hand information about this incident to contact the RSPCA's appeals line on 0300 123 8018.'
