A family have been left devastated after a 'group of kids' pinned down their beloved cat and attacked him. Eyewitnesses said they saw youths taking turns to kick poor cat Tosca and launching a drinks can at him on Saturday evening (July 1).
Tosca was rushed to a vet by a kind stranger who stepped in to intervene, and he has since been given strong painkillers. An ultrasound scan and x-ray are needed to inspect the damage caused by the brutal attack, but it's believed he may have broken ribs and a hernia.
Dad-of-three Ryan McHugh, whose family took Tosca in as a rescue cat, said: "It's upsetting. We're all devastated.
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"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, from Stockport, discovered what had happened when he received a call from the vet at around 6pm on Saturday. It's the latest episode in a series of misadventures for Tosca, 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.
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"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.
