Cheltenham man caught killing cat on CCTV

Thomas Zimny, of St Pauls Road, Cheltenham was caught on CCTV killing a cat in a school car park.

The 40 year old was found guilty of an animal welfare offence following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

Millie was a 12 year old family pet, that had been minding her own business in the car park of Cleeve school.

Zimny was picking up his then girlfriend when he stepped out of his car with his two dogs. Millie was then chased by the dogs who were followed in pursuit by Zimny.

WARNING: The following part of this article contains graphic descriptions of animal abuse.

A video shared with Greatest Hits Radio, shows Zimny catching Millie, grabbing her from behind and swinging her over his shoulder, before slamming her into the floor of the car park.

Describing what happened next RSPCA Inspector Richard Carr added, “It is clear she is injured and unable to move but is still alive. He takes some steps away – but comes back and he then appears to kick her whilst she would already be in pain.

She can be seen to move a few more times but then is motionless for a few seconds before dragging herself under the pallets.

Neither Zimny nor his girlfriend bothered to check on her and instead got the dogs back into the car.”

A witness of the incident, went over to check on Millie and could see her lying motionless under the pallets, so rushed her to a vet.

Millie's family who had her since she was a kitten, were traced through her microchip and told of her death.

At first they thought it was a result of a dog attack, however the school's headteacher reviewed the CCTV covering the car park, which showed Zimny's action towards Millie, and passed it onto the police and RSPCA.

Millie suffered traumatic injuries and widespread bruising. She was also left with the partial dislocation of three spinal joints, rib fractures, bleeding in the lung and a collapsed lung.

The collapsing of the lung due to shock resulted in cardiovascular and respiratory failure and ultimately her death.

This led the vet to conclude Zimny had caused unnecessary suffering by his actions.

Solicitor Lindi Meyer, who prosecuted for the RSPCA said, “Millie did not die immediately but was then kicked by Zimny and she then dragged herself under the palates where she died from her extensive injuries soon after his actions were premeditated and in angry revenge.”

Zimny claimed he had been bitten by Millie and thought she was attacking his dogs.

Zimny now has a lifetime disqualification from owning a cat, which he can't appeal for five years. He was also handed an 18 week suspended prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and 150 hours community service.