WARNING: Some viewers may find the following footage and details contained in this story distressing
A shocking watch
A pet owner in Norfolk has voiced his outrage after a “cold-hearted” delivery driver appeared to intentionally try and run over his cat, sadly causing its death just three days later.
Footage of the driver – captured on a home CCTV camera around 6.30pm on March 25, 2022 – seemingly shows him deliberately trying to run over the 18-year-old deaf black and white cat named Mr Bumbles.
Owner Paul Walker, 58, claims the driver “intentionally” hit the hard of hearing pet before fleeing as the cat lay squirming in agony in the cul-de-sac in Great Plumstead, 20 minutes outside of Norwich.
CCTV footage appears to show the black estate-style vehicle initially slowing to allow the cat to cross the road before the driver suddenly appears to lose his patience and accelerates towards him.
Warning – distressing images
The man behind the wheel is confronted by furious neighbours before he mounts the pavement to belatedly avoid the poor pet before swiftly leaving the estate.
The taxi firm’s boss commented on the video, saying: “It was cold-hearted. He obviously didn’t have any compassion for the cat. I can forgive someone accidentally running the cat over but I think he got impatient and saw the cat wasn’t going to move out the way and just ran over him.
“It shows no heart and no soul. He saw the cat squirming around in the road. He was in a horrible state.” The driver is said to have worked for a local food delivery service.
Walker is thought to have spent in excess of £1,600 on vet bills to try to save Mr Bumbles’ life, having suffered a broken pelvis, gauged eye and fractured spine.
The driver, who initially arrives at the wrong address as he can be seen ringing the doorbell with a bag in his hand, has not yet had his identity revealed but the owner wants police to prosecute him.
Audio captures one woman saying, “This cat is going to die now. Seriously? And you don’t give a s***! Did you know you just—He don’t give a s***!”
The man responds: “What? I stopped. I’m really sorry but I’m not watching in the bottom of cars [sic]”.
Walker said: “He was such a beautiful cat. We’re just devastated he’s not here”, adding that he thinks “the guy should pay for the vet bills and be done for reckless driving. He should be held accountable.”
Mr Bumbles was adopted by Walker and his wife, Suzette, two years ago after the elderly cat was passed on by a neighbour who moved out of the area.
A spokesperson for Norfolk Police said: “We are investigating the incident and enquiries are ongoing. No arrests at present”; the RSPCA have also been approached for comment but are yet to issue a response.
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