Snapchat video shows man throwing cat from balcony in Bristol
RSPCA brings animal welfare prosecution
A Bristol man has been banned from keeping animals for seven years after pleading guilty to an animal welfare offence for throwing a cat from a balcony during a drinking session.
Callum James Dean Palmer, who resides on Hinton Road, Fishponds, was identified through a Snapchat video and prosecuted by the RSPCA following an investigation.
The disturbing 11-second clip, taken by a friend, shows Palmer on a balcony stroking a black and white cat, before lifting the animal by its tail and flinging it off the balcony.
The cat, named Apollo, rotated in the air before landing with a thud on a shed roof approximately 20 feet below, according to the RSPCA's Inspector Kim Walters, who conducted the investigation.
Apollo's owner, unaware of the incident, agreed to a veterinary examination to ensure the cat had not suffered any injuries.
Palmer was sentenced at Bristol Magistrates Court on 27th April. Alongside the seven-year ban, which cannot be appealed for five years, Palmer was ordered to pay £500 in costs. He is also required to carry out a 12-month community order, including five rehabilitation activity days and a 60-day alcohol abstinence tag.
In mitigation, Palmer expressed remorse, stating that he has quit drinking spirits and is no longer associating with the same group of friends.
In their report to the court, the vet who examined Apollo and the Snapchat clip, said: “In my opinion the cat in the video suffered sudden, intense and severe fear, anxiety and pain. This suffering was avoidable and unnecessary.
“It is not possible to say how long after the incident the cat continued to suffer as the extent of the injuries sustained at the time are unknown. The cat is likely to have suffered from bruising for at least two to three days after the event. Depending on what injuries were sustained this suffering could have been a number of weeks.
“The perpetrator had a callous disregard for the cat’s wellbeing. The incident appears to have occurred purely for entertainment. Having inflicted violent trauma upon the cat I have seen no evidence to suggest that the perpetrator did anything to assist the cat, despite knowing that it was likely to be injured.”