A disturbing incident has unfolded in the northern Israeli town of Tirat Carmel, where a man was caught on surveillance video brutally abusing and killing a cat outside a pet store.
The video, which has caused widespread outrage, is now under investigation by the Tirat Carmel police, who are working to locate the suspect. The man was identified through store footage, which showed him purchasing cat food with his smartphone just moments before the attack.
The graphic footage, which has been withheld by Ynet, shows the suspect entering the pet store, buying cat food, and then leaving. Shortly afterward, he is seen grabbing a cat by its tail and violently slamming it to the ground, causing the cat’s immediate death.
Eli Nahum, co-owner of the nearby Nahum Brothers pet store, described the tragic scene: “Around 6 p.m., a passerby came in and told me she had seen someone abusing a cat, and that it was dying. I went out and found the cat’s lifeless body. I was busy with customers, so my employee Regina worked with the bystander to try and help, but it was too late.”
After reviewing the store’s security footage, Nahum recognized the suspect as the same person who had bought cat food earlier. “The cat wasn’t from the store; it was one of the stray cats we and others in the area regularly feed. He must have used the food to lure the cat and then killed it in a horrific manner,” he said, adding that he couldn’t bear to watch the full video.
The incident has sparked outrage among animal rights activists and the public. Images of the suspect, captured on security cameras, have been shared online, and there have been calls for information to help find and arrest him. Some residents of Haifa have even offered monetary rewards for tips leading to the suspect’s capture.
Nir Schuber, an animal welfare activist from Haifa, expressed his shock: “I was horrified when I heard the story and saw the video. I filed a police complaint this morning, and I know two other women, including a store employee, also filed complaints. This level of cruelty is unimaginable.” Schuber has reached out to Tal Gilboa, an animal rights advisor to the prime minister, for assistance. “Despite her heavy workload, she’s personally addressing this issue with the relevant agencies, including the Agriculture Ministry and the police. I hope the suspect is arrested soon.”
Etti Altman, co-founder of the animal welfare organization Let the Animals Live, condemned the attack, calling it a “monstrous act of cruelty.” She added, “This man is a walking menace, and I hope he is apprehended quickly, brought to justice, and sentenced to a lengthy prison term. Our legal team immediately filed a complaint with the police, and it seems they are taking this case seriously. Anyone who harms animals is a real threat to society.”
As of now, the suspect remains at large, and the police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
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