United Kingdom: Royal Oak Hotel staff ‘beat kitten to death with rolling pin’ after it got trapped in their kitchen and peed

UNITED KINGDOM -- A hotel has been accused of shoving a cat in a plastic bag before beating it to death with a rolling pin after it got trapped in their kitchen.

Bosses at the Royal Oak Hotel in Betwys-y-Coed, north Wales, admitted killing the kitten, but insisted in a now-deleted Facebook status that it was ‘humanely euthanized’.

However, they have refused to elaborate on how the animal met its end.

It has been claimed by many in the area that a young stray cat went into the kitchen and ate a bit of food. The cat reportedly became scared after getting trapped inside and peed in the kitchen.

After finding the cat and the urine, it is then alleged that the staff put the animal into a plastic bag, bludgeoned it to death with a rolling pin and smashed its body against the wall.

The RSPCA has confirmed it is investigating the hotel over the killing of the cat.

Glen Evans, head of the hotel, told local newspaper the Daily Post that he didn’t believe the staff had broken the law in killing the animal.

‘In hindsight of course I wish things were dealt with differently,’ he said. ‘But unless new information comes to light, the staff have not done anything unlawful.’

Claims that the cat met a horrific end were posted on the hotel’s Facebook page, which has since been deleted. However, their separate restaurant page is still live and has been flooded with one-star reviews.

One commenter, Jan King, wrote: ‘I am appalled to have read of the sub-human way that the poor kitten was bludgeoned to death by your staff. I hope the karma police are visiting you as I type, I also hope that you do get boycotted. I for one would never, ever want to stay around your sort. Disgusting.’

Another, Sooz McLean, added: ‘There is a reason that sweet, innocent, defenceless kitten was feral – the truth is it was either abandoned by someone or was born that way.

‘Just the same as any other normal living animal he/she needed food and unfortunately ended up at your business, looking for food and maybe a kind hand to help, care for and love him/her.

‘And what did you do – you battered that kitten to death inside a bag.’

In a statement on the Royal Oak’s now-deleted Facebook page, the hotel said: ‘It was with regret that the feral cat was humanely euthanized as lawfully provided for when dealing with any animal legally classified as vermin.

‘Having reflected upon their actions, the staff involved understand why such an incident will upset people as the destruction of any animal is regrettable no matter what the circumstances.’

A spokesman for RSPCA Cymru told Metro.co.uk: ‘We can confirm that we are investigating reports about the death of a cat in the Betws-Y-Coed area. This is an on-going investigation, and we cannot comment further at this time.

‘We urge any member of the public with information to contact our 24-hour Cruelty Line on 0300 1234 999.’

(Metro UK - Dec 8, 2016)