Sick Snapchat video captures horror second teen flings cat off balcony by its tail
WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: Callum Palmer, 19, from Bristol, was filmed on Snapchat flinging a cat named Apollo off a balcony by its tail, sending it spinning into the air
A teenager hurled a cat from a balcony by its tail in a sick Snapchat video. Callum Palmer, 19, from Hinton Road, Fishponds, Bristol was filmed by a mate while on an outdoor balcony. The 11-second recording shows Palmer bending down to pet a black and white moggy that had wandered onto the balcony. The feline appears to enjoy the attention so much that it rolls onto its back.
During the clip, Palmer claims he “loves cats” and runs his hand along the animal’s body and tail, which he then grabs before hoisting the cat from the ground.
He then hurls the creature from the balcony. The cat spins multiple times through the air before being heard crashing onto a shed roof roughly two seconds later with a loud thump, reports Bristol Live.
The footage was shared on social media by one of his mates and subsequently reported to the RSPCA. Inspector Kim Walters launched an investigation for the animal welfare organisation to identify both the individual and cat featured in the recording.
Palmer was tracked down and questioned, confirming the incident occurred in Kingswood.
Inspector Walters visited the location and observed that the shed where the cat landed was roughly 20 feet below the balcony and had sharp nails protruding from its roof.
She also managed to locate the cat, called Apollo, who resided on the same street. The owner, who was unaware what had occurred to their pet, consented to an examination by a vet, to ensure that he sustained injuries or discomfort.
In their report to the court, the vet who examined Apollo and the Snapchat clip, said: “In my opinion the cat in the video suffered sudden, intense and severe fear, anxiety and pain. This suffering was avoidable and unnecessary.
“It is not possible to say how long after the incident the cat continued to suffer as the extent of the injuries sustained at the time are unknown.
“The cat is likely to have suffered from bruising for at least two to three days after the event. Depending on what injuries were sustained this suffering could have been a number of weeks.
“The perpetrator had a callous disregard for the cat’s wellbeing. The incident appears to have occurred purely for entertainment.
“Having inflicted violent trauma upon the cat I have seen no evidence to suggest that the perpetrator did anything to assist the cat, despite knowing that it was likely to be injured.”
Palmer has been banned from keeping animals for seven years, and cannot challenge that decision for five years.
He was ordered to pay £500 costs and carry out a 12 month community order with five rehabilitation activity requirement days.
While at Bristol Magistrates Court on April 27, Palmer was also ordered to wear a 60 day alcohol abstinence tag. In his defence, he expressed remorse and stated that he has not consumed spirits since that incident, and no longer associates with the same group of friends.
Inspector Kim Walters added: “Animals feel pain and distress just like we do and always deserve to be shown kindness and compassion.”
