Owner "in disbelief" after firework strapped to pet

Buster, the brother of Bonnie the cat killed by the firework, also died the same night Credit: Family's own

The owner of a cat that died after a firework strapped to its back exploded in Northampton says she "hopes the sick people that did this are caught."

Mum of one Dawn McAllister was alerted to the death of her cat on Saturday (10 October) by an officer carrying out door-to-door inquiries.

Police told Dawn that a woman and her daughter witnessed Bonnie the cat run through the street in Wellingborough around 6.00pm with the firework attached before it exploded killing the six-year-old pet.

Owner Dawn said it still has not 'sunk in'.

Owner Dawn also lost her other cat on the same night, Bonnie's brother Buster.

Buster was found dead near to the spot where his sister Bonnie was killed Credit: Family's own

Dawn said her 16-year-old son Jake is distraught at the way Bonnie was killed, he has set up a tribute page to his pets on social networking site Facebook which so far has 150 members.

Investigating officer PC Mark Jones has appealed for information to help identify whoever carried out "this unbelievably cruel act."

Dawn said both cats had very different personalities and described Bonnie as "a typical girl who loved to eat. She was very affectionate and was the adventurous one."

She added that she hopes whoever carried out the cruel act is caught soon.

Police are urging anyone with information to contact them.