Hunt for ‘cat baiters’ after kitten ripped apart by dogs in village park

David Pritchard, who discovered his pet Loki had been killed by “cat baiters”, says he fears other animals could be at risk in Rawmarsh, near Rotherham.

Loki went missing after Mr Pritchard and his partner Natalie Garbutt, 30, let him out.

When Loki was rescued from a local park, he was so badly injured that he had to be put down by a vet.

Mr Pritchard, 30, said: “After searching and putting out posters we found out that two youths had been encouraging their dogs, a beige setter and a beige Staffordshire bull terrier, to attack our kitten.

“They shook him like he was a rag doll, breaking his back and ribs and causing paralysis and massive internal damage. Amazingly, he didn’t die instantly.

“A good Samaritan chased the youths and their dogs away and looked after Loki in his home while waiting for the RSPCA to help him.

“He was taken to the vets and because of the severity of his injuries was put to sleep straight away.

“We are appealing to anyone who witnessed the attack to contact the RSPCA so that we can take the appropriate action.”