Police in Hamilton say they hope public revulsion over an attack on a family pet by burglars will help them to solve the crime.
Police say the owners of a house in Hamilton East returned on Friday to find their home burgled and their cat cowering in a cupboard.
They say the cat had a broken pelvis, internal injuries and its tail had been broken in three places.
The family were forced to put the animal down.
Police say the owners suffered enough stress without the attack on their pet and the trauma it caused the children.
