CARING cat lovers are putting hundreds of pounds in the kitty to help prevent further brutal deaths of cats at the hands of yobs.

A Justgiving Page was created by Thomas Munson, of Wheatfield Road, Stanway, following the death of his cat Skittles who was found dead on Friday night having been seen kicked about and ridden over.

More than £200 has been raised already.

The father-of-three young children, who are struggling to come to terms with the brutality of the killing, posted details on the Crimewatch Colchester page on Facebook.

Police are investigating the cat’s death.

Mr Munson said people wanted to fundraise for a reward to find the cat killers but after speaking to police, he decided it would be better to raise funds for Colchester Cats Protection, to help support vulnerable animals and raise awareness of animal cruelty.

A Facebook support group, Justice for Skittles, has also been created by Kirsty Davis, welfare officer of Cats Protection Colchester.

It has attracted more than 250 members.

Mr Munson, 33, said: "It’s great to receive so much public support.

"It’s reassuring we are not alone.

"We were not expecting it at all. We are just hoping this exposure will bring the offenders to justice more quickly and prevent it happening to another family."

The campaigners plan to leaflet the area around Rogation Close, Stanway, where eight-year-old Skittles was killed.

Anyone with information about Skittles’ death should call Essex Police on 101.