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Loading...Man Accused of Swinging Cat By Tail Goes Free
A British judge has thrown out charges against 20-year-old Riain Richards, who is accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a 2-year-old cat named Mowgli. Richards was charged with swinging Mowgli by his tail 17 times in 30 seconds in front of a pub, The Camden Arms, in Ramsgate, Kent, while friends looked on and laughed, on October 29. The Daily Telegraph describes the abuse, which was captured on CCTV and released by the Royal Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA):
In the 17 second clip, the animal’s attacker seemingly dances down the road with the black cat at arm’s length.
The animal is then seen colliding with the arm of another man. The cat’s head nearly hit parked cars and a brick wall as it was violently swung around….
Witnesses testified of seeing a group of youths swinging around what looked like a cardigan before realising it was in fact a pet cat.
Mowgli’s owner, IT teacher Michelle Buchanan, said that he was not injured but has been “traumatized” physically and mentally and is no longer willing to go outside. She also said that Mowgli now cries when she tries to pick him up, even eight months after the incident, according to Agence France-Presse.
One of Buchanan’s neighbors, Lynne Jarvis, heard “horrible laughter” during the attack and went outside. She said that the other people with Richards “were jeering and loving every minute of it”; the RPSCA said he only put down the cat after Jarvis swore at him.
Richards, who was unemployed at the time of the alleged incident, has denied the charges against him. If convicted of the charges against him, he could have faced a jail sentence of up to 51 weeks and a fine of up to £20,000 (about $31,584).
The CCTV footage was said to be “of such poor quality that it is hard to identify any distinguishing features,” said the chair of the bench, Gillian Monk. After Richards gave permission, his home and computer were searched but no evidence was turned up. Dover Magistrates’ Court says that there is no case to answer.
Buchanan described herself as “very disappointed, very upset and very angry” after the judgment. Thanking those who had supported her, she said that “there has been no justice done.”
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Read more: animal abuse, animal cruelty, cat
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574 comments
+ add your ownThis is a disturbing situation following on the recent reports of British citizenry's increased incidents of animal abuse. The judge involved ducked this issue and could have sent a strong message to perpetrators of abuse. It seems to me that there was more than enough evidence to make a case. Not finding evidence at the accused's home meant nothing, compared with the eye witness testimony given. decidedly a judicial cop out and cock up in my opinion and one that the judge should not be proud of.
This is wrong, there was no justice for this innocent cat. He got off and so he learned nothing and will do something again to an animal and maybe worse. This was torture for this cat and he should have been punished. It wasn't okay to do that, it needs to stop. They are not just animals, they are living, caring, creatures that feel pain.
Amy L.
Even as a guy I agree. Swing him and his friends around by their peckers. And hope their heads hit the judge that doesn't care. I bet they all believe in god too. Evil comes from religion.
We should swing Mr. Richards by his penis at a high velocity speed and see how he likes that! I would love to kick his piece of shit ass!
Blessings to Mowgli...so sorry he was treated this way. Terrible!
sick
I'll be glad when Karma finds these creeps. The one that did this and the ones that not only didn't help that poor cat but enjoyed watching. Karma is coming creeps!
I just can't understand the cruelty to any animal. It's beyond my comprehension.
This"judge" needs to let this same miscreant swing him around by his ass and have his head hit against a brick wall. Maybe that would make this joke of a jurist come to his senses.
unbelievable and horrifying. poor Mowgli, poor Michelle. And to echo so many other posters, what about the witnesses? This travesty occurred in a very public place. poor video quality? Have we reached the point in our "culture" where technology trumps the human element? This, too, is disturbing.
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