MERTHYR TYDFIL TEENS JOSH SULLIVAN AND LEVI WILLIAMS CRUELLY MURDER ELDERLY CAT IN SOUTH WALES
| Red Rose Database
Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales Animal Abuser
In a deeply disturbing incident that has shocked the community of Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales, two young individuals, Josh Sullivan and Levi Williams, were involved in a heinous act of animal cruelty that culminated in the brutal killing of a 13-year-old family cat named Sully. Both offenders, residents of the notorious Gurnos Estate, were caught on CCTV footage displaying a shocking level of cruelty that has left local residents and animal lovers appalled.
On the evening of May 9, 2018, Sully’s owners, who have chosen to remain anonymous, became increasingly worried after their beloved pet had gone missing for several days. Concerned for Sully’s safety, they reviewed their home security footage, which revealed a horrifying scene involving the two teenagers and a dog. The footage shows Levi Williams attempting to coax Sully out from beneath a car by hitting him with a stick, a clear act of intimidation and cruelty. As Sully emerges from his hiding spot, Josh Sullivan releases a dog, believed to have been trained for violence, which immediately chases and catches the elderly cat.
The dog, which was under the control of Sullivan, then viciously mauled Sully to death in a brutal attack. Witnesses report that Sullivan then picked up Sully’s limp body and paraded it along the street, displaying a callous attitude towards the suffering of the innocent animal. The footage further shows Sullivan eventually discarding Sully’s mutilated body into nearby bushes, an act that underscores the cruelty of the attack.
RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper expressed her shock upon viewing the footage, describing the attack as “disturbing, harrowing, and deeply sinister.” She emphasized that the attack appeared to be premeditated and that the dog involved had likely been trained to kill animals in such a manner. Inspector Cooper stated, “The shock and horror I felt when I first witnessed this CCTV footage has remained with me. This was a disturbing, harrowing and deeply sinister attack which would have caused immense suffering to poor Sully.” She also highlighted the community’s likely disgust at such cruelty, noting that most residents of Merthyr Tydfil would be appalled by the treatment of an innocent, defenseless cat.
The two youths, whose identities have not been officially disclosed due to their ages, were quickly identified through social media posts. The owner of Sully, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared their heartbreak over the loss of their beloved pet. They described Sully as a well-loved member of the family, known throughout the local area for his friendly nature and his habit of sitting on the path to be petted by passersby. The owner recounted how Sully would often visit a nearby dental practice, making friends with patients in the waiting room, and was a harmless cat who had never posed any threat to anyone.
Expressing their grief, the owner said, “We are absolutely heartbroken. Sully was so happy, and was a member of our family. His killing by these cruel people brings shame to Merthyr Tydfil. This was a heinous act. He was well-known and popular in the local area – always sitting on the path he’d get petted and fussed by people walking along the lane and regular dog walkers all knew him. He’d regularly sneak into a neighboring dental practice, and make friends with patients in the waiting room. Sully was a real character and was loved by all who met him. He was harmless and had never hurt anyone.”
The owner further described the distress of discovering Sully missing, initially believing he had simply gone to follow family members to the park, only to realize something was terribly wrong after reviewing CCTV footage. They recounted the horrifying moment of witnessing the attack, describing how they screamed at the screen for Sully to run, but the dog was too fast. The emotional toll was immense, especially considering Sully’s age and his role as a cherished family member who had spent every night curled up on their children’s beds. The owner expressed profound grief over the loss and anger towards the offenders, stating, “Telling my wife and children he was dead was so, so hard. I will never forget watching the offenders revel in what they did, and will never forgive them for what they have done to us.”
In the aftermath, Sully’s body was recovered from the bushes, and arrangements were made for his cremation to give him some dignity. The incident has left a lasting scar on the family and the local community, with many condemning the cruelty displayed by Sullivan and Williams.
Regarding the legal consequences, both Sullivan and Williams received a 12-month referral order to the youth offending team, along with a fine of £300 in costs. Additionally, they were disqualified from keeping any animals for a period of ten years, a ban set to expire in September 2028. The case has garnered significant media attention, with coverage from outlets such as the Daily Mail, ITV News, and The Sun, highlighting the severity of the crime and the community’s demand for justice.
On the evening of May 9, 2018, Sully’s owners, who have chosen to remain anonymous, became increasingly worried after their beloved pet had gone missing for several days. Concerned for Sully’s safety, they reviewed their home security footage, which revealed a horrifying scene involving the two teenagers and a dog. The footage shows Levi Williams attempting to coax Sully out from beneath a car by hitting him with a stick, a clear act of intimidation and cruelty. As Sully emerges from his hiding spot, Josh Sullivan releases a dog, believed to have been trained for violence, which immediately chases and catches the elderly cat.
The dog, which was under the control of Sullivan, then viciously mauled Sully to death in a brutal attack. Witnesses report that Sullivan then picked up Sully’s limp body and paraded it along the street, displaying a callous attitude towards the suffering of the innocent animal. The footage further shows Sullivan eventually discarding Sully’s mutilated body into nearby bushes, an act that underscores the cruelty of the attack.
RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper expressed her shock upon viewing the footage, describing the attack as “disturbing, harrowing, and deeply sinister.” She emphasized that the attack appeared to be premeditated and that the dog involved had likely been trained to kill animals in such a manner. Inspector Cooper stated, “The shock and horror I felt when I first witnessed this CCTV footage has remained with me. This was a disturbing, harrowing and deeply sinister attack which would have caused immense suffering to poor Sully.” She also highlighted the community’s likely disgust at such cruelty, noting that most residents of Merthyr Tydfil would be appalled by the treatment of an innocent, defenseless cat.
The two youths, whose identities have not been officially disclosed due to their ages, were quickly identified through social media posts. The owner of Sully, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared their heartbreak over the loss of their beloved pet. They described Sully as a well-loved member of the family, known throughout the local area for his friendly nature and his habit of sitting on the path to be petted by passersby. The owner recounted how Sully would often visit a nearby dental practice, making friends with patients in the waiting room, and was a harmless cat who had never posed any threat to anyone.
Expressing their grief, the owner said, “We are absolutely heartbroken. Sully was so happy, and was a member of our family. His killing by these cruel people brings shame to Merthyr Tydfil. This was a heinous act. He was well-known and popular in the local area – always sitting on the path he’d get petted and fussed by people walking along the lane and regular dog walkers all knew him. He’d regularly sneak into a neighboring dental practice, and make friends with patients in the waiting room. Sully was a real character and was loved by all who met him. He was harmless and had never hurt anyone.”
The owner further described the distress of discovering Sully missing, initially believing he had simply gone to follow family members to the park, only to realize something was terribly wrong after reviewing CCTV footage. They recounted the horrifying moment of witnessing the attack, describing how they screamed at the screen for Sully to run, but the dog was too fast. The emotional toll was immense, especially considering Sully’s age and his role as a cherished family member who had spent every night curled up on their children’s beds. The owner expressed profound grief over the loss and anger towards the offenders, stating, “Telling my wife and children he was dead was so, so hard. I will never forget watching the offenders revel in what they did, and will never forgive them for what they have done to us.”
In the aftermath, Sully’s body was recovered from the bushes, and arrangements were made for his cremation to give him some dignity. The incident has left a lasting scar on the family and the local community, with many condemning the cruelty displayed by Sullivan and Williams.
Regarding the legal consequences, both Sullivan and Williams received a 12-month referral order to the youth offending team, along with a fine of £300 in costs. Additionally, they were disqualified from keeping any animals for a period of ten years, a ban set to expire in September 2028. The case has garnered significant media attention, with coverage from outlets such as the Daily Mail, ITV News, and The Sun, highlighting the severity of the crime and the community’s demand for justice.