A STUNNED pet owner saw a man throw a punch at her defenceless pet as it perched on top of a fence.

The woman was walking in an alleyway in Coats Hutton Road, Colchester, when she saw two men walking close to where her cat was poised on the six feet high fence.

But suddenly, for no apparent reason, one of then launched a punch at the defenceless moggy.

The cat scarpered and did not return home leaving the owners worried about whether she had been badly hurt by the vicious strike.

At the moment, it is not known if it suffered any serious injuries.

The woman then confronted the two men but they carried on walking and did not engage with her.

The cat owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she was stunned by what had happened and how anyone could be so cruel.

She said: “I’m obviously very angry that a grown adult feels the need to punch a defenceless small animal for no reason.

“It’s not on.

“Who would do that to a little cat?

“ I don’t know how she is because she has run off.

“He wasn’t a small bloke so could easily have seriously hurt her and I would not have known.”

The woman has given descriptions of both men to the police.

Both were white and in their 30s.

One was around 6ft tall, of large build with dark hair and beard and tattoos on his arm.

The other was around 5ft 8 inches with blonde hair and of a skinny build.

At least one is believed to be local.

Police have been informed about the incident which happened at roughly 6pm on Monday.

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference number 1163 of September 21.

Details can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.