A man was detained in Greece after allegedly being caught on camera kicking a cat into the sea while sitting at an outdoor restaurant on the island of Evia.

While dining at an outdoor restaurant on the island of Evia, three people can be seen sitting at the seafront eatery when they are approached by two felines in the gruesome video shared on social media.

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A member of the group then lures one of the cats to the water’s edge with a fish before kicking it into the sea. If he is charged, he faces up to ten years in prison.

He committed the heinous crime in front of other patrons at the seaside restaurant.

Fortunately, the cat was found unharmed after residents took it to a veterinarian. The cat belonged to the restaurant’s owner, who assured that both kittens were well, according to a member of the local animal society who investigated the situation. After the mistreatment, the cat was taken for a medical examination.

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The viral video helped Greek cops identify and apprehend the suspect. If he is charged, he could be sentenced to up to ten years in prison. According to reports, the man could also face a £42,000 fine (Rs 40 lakhs).

The video went viral and sparked outrage, with viewers demanding that the man be arrested. Greece’s police minister, Takis Theodorikakos, condemned the act, saying, “Violence against animals is unacceptable. I’d like to express my gratitude to those who brought this issue to the public’s attention.”

Animal cruelty is a serious crime in Greece. In 2020, the country passed legislation making animal cruelty punishable by up to a decade in prison.

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The legislation, which was passed unanimously by parliament, also mandates minimum one-year sentences and hefty fines. Poisoning, hanging, drowning, and mutilation is all examples of what the law considers to be serious animal abuse.

The Guardian reports that Greece has one of the world’s greatest populations of stray dogs and cats, with animal rights advocates estimating that there are millions of street cats and dogs in Athens alone.