Footage of a teenager appearing to throw a cat down into a quarry did not involve a criminal offence, police have said in an update.
A youth can be seen in a clip, shared on Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter, seeming to hurl the cat down from a cliff believed to be at a quarry in Carnforth, Lancashire.
It led to shock and disgust from many viewers and Lancashire Police said that they were investigating the incident.
But now the force has provided a statement saying that it is “satisfied no criminal offence has been committed”.
And it also sent a warning to those targeting the teenager in the clip, saying “any criminal behaviour we are made aware of will be dealt with robustly”.
After analysing the 14-second clip, officers believe it happened ”some time ago” and that the cat “was already dead at the time of the incident”.
Police said that while “distasteful and obviously upsetting to view”, they are satisfied that no crime was committed.
In the footage, where the person can be seen taking a large swing and then launching the animal into the air with people looking on, the cat doesn’t appear to be moving.
The footage initially began circulating on Snapchat before being distributed widely on Facebook and Twitter. Officers said that some of the people shown in the video and their families have been subjected to "threats and anti-social behaviour' while others have been 'contacted and threatened in cases of mistaken identity".
The statement from Lancaster Area Police wrote on Facebook: "We posted about a video we had been made aware of on social media which appeared to show a cat being thrown from a cliff into water and we wanted to give you an update.
"After viewing the footage, we believe this happened some time ago and that the cat was already dead at the time of the incident and while distasteful and obviously upsetting to view we are satisfied no criminal offence has been committed.
"The video has clearly attracted widespread attention and while we recognise it has caused distress and anger to many, we are also aware that some people have been targeting those shown in the video and their families and subjecting them to threats and anti-social behaviour.
"We are also aware that other people have been contacted and threatened in cases of mistaken identity. This is completely unacceptable and must stop. Any criminal behaviour we are made aware of will be dealt with robustly."
