Watch: Man slamming cat to ground caught on CCTV

CCTV footage obtained by Times of Malta shows the moment a man is seen slamming a cat to the ground in the middle of the night in Sliema. 

The incident, which occurred on June 11, confirms the worst fears of residents and animal welfare advocates, who believe the killing is connected to a wider series of similar attacks across Malta over the past weeks.

The footage shows the man, whose identity remains unknown, running around the corner onto St Charles Street at approximately 3.15am, holding a cat. He then violently slams the animal to the ground before leaving it on the street a few metres up the road.

The cat, affectionately known by neighbours as Pupa, was found dead on that spot the following morning.

The man first walks away from the scene but is seen returning to the spot where the cat lay a couple of minutes later. He then appears to loiter at the scene, walking up and down the street.

Animal activists who have been closely following the case believe he returned during this period to cut the tip of the agonizing cat's tail, although the footage does not clearly capture such an act.

Pupa's feeder 'brokenhearted'

Pauline Calamatta, one of the cat feeders on Rudolph Street who would often feed Pupa, told Times of Malta it breaks her heart to pass by the spot where the cat was found dead.

Pupa was a house cat that had been abandoned, she said.

“Every time I walk past the place where Pupa was killed, my heart breaks. 

“I’m afraid to go out and feed the other cats in the evening now. It’s not a nice feeling having to constantly looking over your shoulder."

The 72-year-old had been feeding Pupa since the cat first appeared while pregnant on her roof around a decade ago. 

“She was very shy and apprehensive of strangers. At first she only let me approach her, then she became more comfortable with the other people on the street.

“She and the other cats were well taken care of and never bothered anyone.”

Trying to feed another cat

Later that same night, the man was captured by another CCTV camera in the vicinity, seemingly attempting to feed another cat. Activists fear this was an attempt to lure and capture the animal, potentially with the intent to inflict similar harm.

The disturbing nature of Pupa's killing suggests it may be connected to a spate of other similar cat killings across Malta over the past weeks.

The attacks first came to light on June 17, when animal activists raised the alarm about five stray cats that had been killed or injured across several streets in Sliema.

While the first victim was initially believed to have been a black and white cat found dead in a box on June 7, activist Romina Frendo said she received information which showed the first case was in May at Bieb il-Bombi in Floriana, where a black cat with a smashed face was found alive. 

Two other killings occurred in Valletta, while another was reported in Bormla.  

In all cases, the cats were found to have sustained similar injuries: missing tongues, severely injured faces and partially chopped off tails.

Frendo also said she fears the attacks might be part of an underground animal abuse ring that records cats being tortured to sell those videos for profit.     

The police are investigating and actvists are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Vigil for cats

Meanwhile on Sunday, activists will be holding a 'Vigil for Malta's slain cats' in Triq is-Salvatur in Sliema, where the incident occurred.

Animals lovers are urged to attent at 8.30pm and bring a candle.