SHOCKING footage has been circulated online of a group of young men torturing a cat.

The footage was uploaded to Snapchat by a young man who the Observer understands to be from the Burnham area, and shows a friend of his striking a black cat with a stick in an area of woodland, whilst another friend beats the cat with a rope. The person filming can be heard laughing throughout the attack - after the cat is beaten with the stick, the recorder shouts 'Do it again' to the attacker.

The rope-wielding man then moves up to the cat and says: "That's a nice pussy-cat", before kicking it several times, while he and his friends laugh.

In another clip uploaded to Snapchat, the same man shows the camera a missing pet poster for a black cat called Kiki, that appears similar to the one that was attacked. He says sarcastically: "Where's that lost cat gone? Where's that lost cat gone?"

One of his friends says: "We killed it."

The man replies: "We killed it, yeah", before laughing and throwing the poster away.

He also uploaded a photo of the missing cat poster to Snapchat, with a mocking caption that read 'RIP.'

In response to fierce online criticism, the man later posted a Facebook message in which he admitted that he had shot the video, but claimed that the cat they were attacking was a 'fake.'

The Observer has contacted the police regarding the footage, and handed over the details of the person who uploaded it.

One resident, Angel Finch, 18, said: "It's absolutely disgusting that they could do this to another creature, and then post it up on social media for everyone to see."

Meanwhile, other residents have been circulating the footage, urging anyone who recognises the individuals to contact the police.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "This footage is extremely disturbing and distressing to watch - it must have been so upsetting for the poor owners of Kiki.

“It is unclear from the footage whether the cat had been found alive or dead prior to this attack - but if anyone has any information about this we would urge them to get in contact with us on 0300 123 4999.

“The RSPCA works hard to try to encourage and promote compassion and kindness to animals through its education programs to young people and schools across the country.”

Thames Valley Police announced they had arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of criminal damage and malicious communications in connection with the incident. The boy remains in custody, and an investigation is ongoing. 

Any witnesses are asked to call 101, quoting reference 43180223902 or 43180223040, or report it online at https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/