A man who brutally kicked a cat across the road which killed the pet, has been identified by police.
The cat, which was a black, grey and white moggy, died days later.
Horrifying footage circulated online of a man lashing out at the Lenny the cat in Hastang Fields, Leamington Spa.
The clip, which was caught on a doorbell camera, shows an innocent Lenny minding his business when a man walking his dog approaches and kicks him into the road.
WATCH NOW: Horror doorbell footage shows moment before cat is kicked
A spokesman for Warwickshire Police said: “We understand residents have been left shocked and appalled by this incident and we would like everyone to know that a criminal investigation is underway.
“A suspect has been identified and arrangements have made to interview him. We will continue to update the public on the progress of this investigation.”
Lenny’s owner said he was the “street’s cat” and that everybody knew of him.
The unnamed owner told the Mail Online: “At first I was just gobsmacked – I was like: 'How can you do that?'
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Lenny the cat was minding his business before the horrific cat
RSPCA
“It's just a shock to a lot of people in the street. Even people that came around the area to walk their dogs – he wasn't even bothered.
“So for that man to do what he did – he wouldn't have even gone up to his dog. He's so used to people passing him and just being friendly.
“After it happened he stayed in the house a lot more, didn't want to go out. He just literally went downhill from there.”
In the clip, the man is walking dog down the road when he suddenly lashes out at the cat, kicking Lenny and sending him flying through the air.
The pet then ran under a nearby car for safety.
The woman said that the whole community was devastated by the cat’s death.
Warrington Police previously said that they had received a report of a man kicking a cat in the same area last month
RSPCA
“We've had him since he was a kitten, since he was a 12 weeks old. He's a very friendly cat – we've lived here 23 years and he was just over 20.
“As much as a family cat, he's the street's cat – anybody that walked past he would go up to and meow, just for a bit of attention.
“Even when the police came, he meowed at them even though he was quite poorly by the time they came round.”
The owner said that the cat’s condition quickly deteriorated over the following days before he passed.
“I think I just want to know what was going around in his head to do something like that,” she said.
“I just think it’s awful. It’s very frustrating and upsetting just to see it.”
The RSPCA has launched an appeal for more information.
An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “This footage is extremely distressing and upsetting to watch, and we offer our sympathy and condolences to Lenny’s owners on the loss of their elderly pet.”
