The chilling moment a man killed a beloved family cat in a school car park was caught on camera. Thanks to the CCTV evidence, Tomasz Zimny of St Paul's Road, Cheltenham has received a suspended prison sentence and a lifetime ban from owning cats.
The 40-year-old killed much-loved family pet Millie in the Cleeve School sports complex car park by swinging her over his head and slamming her into the floor. After stepping back from the injured 12-year-old white and black cat, he can be seen on CCTV footage returning to kick Mollie before driving off.
The incident, which took place on March 17, 2022, was originally treated as a dog attack by Millie's family, who had her from a kitten, after being traced through her microchip. However, when the headteacher of Cleeve School was made are of aware, he reviewed the car park's CCTV of the area, saw Zimny's cruel and violent act against Millie and contacted the police and RSPCA.
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The events of that day began with Mr Zimny picking up his girlfriend from the sports complex on Two Hedges Road. When he pulled up to her, their two dogs got out of the vehicle and chased Millie, who had been standing next to some pallets and machinery.
The Cheltenham resident then chased the dogs, who ran off out of view, before Mr Zimny returns chasing the 12-year-old cat.
RSPCA Inspector Richard Carr, who investigated the crime for the animal welfare charity, said: “The footage shows how he is almost between the pallets when he catches her, and from behind he grabs either a rear leg or tail and swings her up over his shoulder, before swinging her back down with great force and slamming her onto the floor.
“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 who had only seen part of what had happened rushed over to Millie, to find her lying still and in shock, so he took her to a vet, who traced Millie's family. When the information about the attack emerged, the family had to go through further trauma by exhuming Millie and having a vet carry out a post-mortem examination.
Evidence of a number of traumatic injuries and widespread bruising, was found by the vet. Millie had suffered 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 would have led to cardiovascular and respiratory failure and death and led the vet to conclude Zimny caused unnecessary suffering by his actions.
ADVISORY: This is a disturbing video with footage provided by the RSPCA. We would advice extreme caution before choosing to view it.
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 said because his dogs were barking at her he thought the cat was attacking them.
Alongside the lifetime cat disqualification, which he can not appeal for five years, he was also handed an 18 week suspended prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and 150 hours community service when he was sentenced at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Monday 15 May.
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