SPCA investigating after disturbing video of students laughing at injured cat

  • 07/08/2018
SPCA investigating after disturbing video of students laughing at injured cat
Photo credit: Getty

The SPCA is investigating a video shared on social media that shows a group of Christchurch teenagers laughing at a cat moments before it dies.

The video was filmed by a student at a Christchurch high school on Saturday, NZME reports. A group of teenagers can be seen laughing at the injured cat.

The owner of the unnamed property told NZME the cat had not been tortured, but that it had been accidently run over and then put out of its misery.

SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen told Newshub the SPCA had been sent the video, and the matter had been referred to their inspectorate to investigate.

"These recent videos only highlight to us just how critical it is to educate our future generation of New Zealanders, and break the cycle of cruelty in our country."

Ms Midgen said New Zealanders needed to change their treatment toward animals.

"There is substantial research highlighting the co-occurrence between human and animal abuse," she explained.

"The SPCA believes there is a real need to create behavioural change in New Zealanders' treatment of animals."

An education programme has been set up by the SPCA to encourage empathy towards all animals and people, Ms Midgen says.

Newshub.