Cat beaten by burglars

Police are hunting burglars who broke into a Hamilton home and kicked a cat so badly that it had to be put down.

Senior Constable Bruce Bogun said a family returned home to find their home broken into and their cat hiding in a cupboard with a broken pelvis and a broken tail in three places.

Mr Bogun said he hoped "public revulsion" would bring forward information from the community.

He said a 10 year-old girl found the cat which had to be taken to the vet and put down.

The girl's mother told police that the cat was in a lot of pain.

"The cat also suffered serious internal injuries from being kicked, my

daughter is very, very upset with it having to be put down," she said.

Mr Bogun said property was stolen from the house, including a blue Daihatsu Charade that was later found burnt out.

He said burglary victims were put under enough stress without the victimisation of an innocent animal and the trauma caused to children.

Mr Bogun said Victim Support is working with the family and they would be given peace of mind if an arrest was made.

- NZ HERALD STAFF