Police investigate after friendly neighbourhood cat Elvis is violently killed

THE owner of Elvis, found dead in a Seaforth gutter, assumed he had been knocked down by a car until witnesses came forward to say they had seen something disturbing.

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A pet owner is in mourning after his much-loved cat was killed.

Police are speaking to witnesses of the attack on ‘Elvis’ in Seaforth last weekend.

Elvis’s owner, Tom Leonardi, said he was devastated and disgusted at what has happened.

“I can’t understand how someone could do such a barbaric act of cruelty to a loveable creature like Elvis,” Mr Leonardi said.

He said he put out 10-year-old long-hair Norwegian cross at around 8pm on Saturday.

One of the Christmas cards sent to Elvis.

The next morning, a neighbour told him Elvis had been found on the side of the road.

“My neighbour was quite hysterical after she saw him in the gutter lying there,” he said.

Mr Leonardi thought Elvis had either been hit by a car or had accidentally eaten something toxic.

After burying him in the back garden, Mr Leonardi placed signs around the area to tell people the tragic news. It was this ­action that prompted witnesses to come forward.

Ten-year-old Norwegian Cross Elvis.

A letter from friendly neighbours.

It is alleged the person responsible was greeted by Elvis in the street on Saturday night and instead of patting him, kicked him in the head.

Police asked for Elvis to be exhumed and taken to a vet to assess the injuries.

“He was one of those friendly, placid, easygoing and loveable sort of cats,” said Mr Leonardi. “Anyone who walked down the street, he’d go straight up to for a pat.”

Mr Leonardi said residents even gave him Christmas cards and treats.

Police are calling on any other witnesses to come forward.