A popular neighbourhood cat had to be put down after he was thrown into the air outside shops in a senseless attack.

CCTV cameras captured the moment a thug hurled Zak outside shops in The Gossamers in the Meriden Estate, Watford, on Saturday June 23 at around 10pm.

The 12-year-old cat landed heavily before running away.

Zak returned home to his owner Lee Edwardes, who was told about the attack, but Zak returned to his familiar haunt outside the shops the next day.

But a concerned member of the public called the RSPCA and Zak was taken to the vets on Sunday.

Mr Edwardes was called on Monday and a diagnosis revealed Zak was badly bruised and suffering from internal bleeding – possibly from being kicked.

Zak was put down on the Monday.

The incident has left Mr Edwardes and his 11-year-old son Maddox devastated.

Mr Edwardes, who rescued his cat around ten years ago, said: “He was our family cat. We got Zak as a stray and he has been with us ever since. I just don’t know how anyone could do this to a defenceless animal.

"He was loved by all the children who came down to see him and the shops and people would feed him as well.

“Whoever did this needs to be found to stop it happening to other cats and destroying another family.”

Watford Observer:

Zak pictured just a couple of days before the attack outside a fish and chip shop in The Gossamers

Mr Edwardes has seen CCTV footage of Zak being thrown in the air outside pizza takeaway Chiqizza’s, which the police are now investigating.

Zak had recently spent a lot of time outside the shops and had become a firm favourite with visitors.

He already suffered from respiratory problems but the injuries he sustained left vets with no option but to put Zak down.

Police are appealing for information and witnesses.

A spokeswoman for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a cat was injured in Watford.

“It happened between 10pm and 11.30pm on Saturday, June 23. It was reported that the animal was kicked outside in the street on The Gossamers before the owner was informed and it was taken to a vet for examination.

“Sadly the cat had to be put to sleep due to internal injuries.

“If you witnessed what happened, or have any further information that could assist the investigation, please call 101 quoting crime reference 41/11731/18.”