Swindon man guilty of hitting cat so hard he fractured his skull
The RSPCA say sadly the injuries were so bad the cat had to be put down.
A Swindon man who claimed a TV fell on his four-month-old cat has been found guilty of failing to meet the needs of the pet, and banned from keeping animals for five years.
Black cat Grimz experienced such severe injuries to his skull and spine following the blunt-force trauma that he had to be euthanased by a vet.
2\2 year old Kyson Cummings of Albany Close, pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty of failing to ensure Grimz’ needs were met following a trial.
He was handed an 18-month community order with 35 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and 150 hours unpaid work at Swindon Magistrates Court on 13 March 2025, following a case brought by the RSPCA.
He was also disqualified for keeping animals for five years.
RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson attended Cummings’ Swindon property, which he shared with family, on 21 November 2023 after animal welfare concerns were reported by a vet.
The court heard that the cat had been living with Cummings and family for around six weeks when they contacted their local veterinary clinic on 19 November 2024, claiming that Grimz had been found “injured and unresponsive”, lying under the television which had fallen off its stand.
However, veterinary examination of Grimz revealed “severe conditions”.
The vet also said that a family member had expressed “scepticism” over Cummings' account of the incident, claiming the family member told her he had "mentioned wanting to harm the kitten the previous week due to its toileting habits".
“Deliberate act of intentional cruelty”
After examining the “comatose” cat, the vet recommended euthanasia on welfare grounds, due to the “extensive head injuries and the grim prognosis”.
She added: “My decision to report the case stemmed from (a family member’s) statement casting doubt on the accidental nature of the injury.
“I found it also implausible that a 1.1kg (2.4lb) kitten could displace a television screen.”
Independent veterinary surgeon David Martin reviewed the case as an expert witness on behalf of the RSPCA.
He concluded: “It is my expert opinion that Grimz was deliberately harmed.
“It is highly unlikely that a kitten would be able to knock the TV over, even if playing boisterously. The injuries are completely inconsistent … but are completely compatible with a heavy and forceful kick to the underside of the head.
“He was not caused to suffer as there is no evidence of him being conscious following sustaining the severe head injury, but is my expert opinion that Mr Cummings failed to take reasonable steps to protect Grimz from pain, suffering, injury and disease as Grimz died as a result of deliberately inflicted blunt force trauma to his head and neck.”
Mr Martin noted that the “deliberate act of intentional cruelty” could have been a result of Grimz urinating on the bed an hour or so before the incident, as previously stated by Mr Cummings.
Following the sentencing, Inspector Miranda Albinson said: “This young kitten was hit with such force that his severe injuries meant the only option was to put him to sleep.
“Owning a pet is a privilege - they are reliant on their owners to care for them and keep them safe and healthy. Sadly, Grimz was failed by his owner here.
“It’s a heart-breaking ending for Grimz, who was deliberately harmed when he deserved care and respect from his owners. The only potential saving grace in this case is that he was not put through prolonged pain and suffering.”
The RSPCA offers welfare advice to owners of all pets to keep them safe, healthy and happy.