Officers investigate reports of animal cruelty incident in Basingstoke

We are aware of a video which has been circulated widely on social media that appears to show an animal cruelty incident in Basingstoke.

We can confirm we were called at 11.51am yesterday (17 July) to a report that a cat had been injured on Chivers Close earlier that morning. The cat returned home and was taken to a veterinary practice to receive treatment.

Officers launched an investigation and made an arrest today (18 July).

An 18-year-old man from Basingstoke has been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. He remains in custody while our enquiries continue.

Officers are aware of the impact that this incident has had on the local community, but please be reassured that we are taking this report seriously.

Please refrain from sharing the video further and please do not speculate while officers continue to investigate the incident.