Man caught on security camera swinging cat by tail sparks cruelty probe in United Kingdom

LONDON (AP) —Animal welfare activists are questioning a man accused of swinging a cat by its tail in an attack captured on closed circuit television.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Friday that the 20-year-old man from southeast England is being questioned in the attack on the cat named Mowgli. The society says the man, who was not named, is co-operating with inquiries.

Mowgli's owner, Michelle Buchanan, says the cat escaped injury, but Mowgli is distraught, and has been reluctant to go outside since the Oct. 29 attack, which lasted more than 30 seconds.

The assault is reminiscent of an incident last year in which a British bank worker tossed a cat into a trash can. A video of that attack went viral, sparking outrage worldwide.