A family has been left heartbroken after a "group of kids" pinned down their cat and attacked him.
Tosca the cat had a drinks can launched at him as he was kicked on Saturday, July 1, according to eyewitnesses. He was rushed to a vet by a stranger who stepped in to intervene and has since been given strong painkillers for his injuries.
Vets believe he has suffered broken ribs and a hernia.
Dad-of-three Ryan McHugh, whose family took Tosca in as a rescue cat, told Manchester Evening News: "It's upsetting. We're all devastated.
"We almost got him put down at the vets because of the amount of money they said it was going to cost." He added: "You can tell he's in pain - he sneezed and you could tell it hurt him."
Ryan discovered what had happened to his beloved pet when he received a call from the vet later that day. It is the latest in a series of unfortunate events for the cat, who is believed to be 12-years-old.
He was hit by a car before being rehomed, leaving him with an issue in his eye. Ryan says Tosca wouldn't leave the house in his first 18 months with the family but things soon changed, with the cat wandering off for hours or more than a day at a time.
"About six months ago he started going on big adventures," said Ryan, 31. "People would post on Facebook saying 'is this cat lost?'.
"He's so friendly he will follow people for ages. I think that's what happened on Saturday - he's gone up to these kids being friendly like he normally does."
Tosca's new-found habit for venturing off led to Ryan getting a tracker for the beloved family cat, which proved vital after he was 'kidnapped' and later found in Droylsden, Tameside. But this latest incident has left Ryan contemplating keeping Tosca at home in future.
"He gets up to all sorts," said Ryan. "He loves going out. I don't mind finding him with his tracker when he doesn't come back. But it's just not worth the risk anymore when there's people out there that could do this."
Saturday's cruel attack took place on Turncroft Lane, Offerton. The incident has been reported to Greater Manchester Police and Ryan has contacted local high schools to help with the investigation, but CCTV near to the scene was not recording video footage.
A GMP spokesperson said: "On Saturday, July 1, GMP was made aware of an alleged attack on a cat which is believed to have taken place on Turncroft Lane, Stockport. The cat was taken to the vets, but it has since been discharged.
"GMP is working with the RSPCA to understand the circumstances." A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover the cost of vet bills for Tosca's treatment. Any information about the incident can be passed to GMP online or on 101.
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