Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside the home of a man accused of beating his ex-girlfriend’s cat to death in Torrevieja.
Footage shared online showed furious locals, expats and animal activists chanting below the suspect’s flat in the heart of the Costa Blanca city.
At one point, the man, who is under investigation, was filmed looking over his balcony and singing along to music, acting completely oblivious to the crowds below.
‘It’s unbelievable,’ one protester told the Spanish Eye, ‘he was basically laughing in our faces, the nerve is just unreal.
‘He’s being kept inside the apartment with his mother who is protecting him.
‘I’m sure he knows there are many people wanting to have a word or two with him, shall we say.’
The demonstration began at the junction of Calle Clavel and Calle Orihuela, where residents and animal rights activists demanded tougher punishments for animal abuse offences.
The protest was largely organised through social media, with local campaign groups and neighbours rallying support over recent days.
Many attendees carried messages calling for ‘justice for Nala’ and greater legal protection for animals in Spain.
The case sparked outrage after the suspect was filmed repeatedly kicking the cat to death in the middle of the street.
The Spanish Eye previously reported how Nala had been affectionate to her killer, making her death all the more cruel.
It is believed the killing was designed to cause pain to the attacker’s ex-girlfriend, who owned the cat.
The suspect was arrested by the Guardia Civil on suspicion of animal abuse, but released while investigations continue.
The Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja previously issued a statement expressing its ‘absolute condemnation’ over the incident, while several animal rights organisations described the case as an act of ‘extreme cruelty’.
Images and messages shared online over the weekend showed widespread anger among residents, with many social media users accusing Spain’s justice system of not doing enough to punish serious cases of animal abuse.
Authorities confirmed the suspect was placed before a court following his arrest, while investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
