TWO cruel teen yobs who set a savage dog on a family's cat have been bombarded with death threats after allegedly being identified online.

The thugs, part of a gang who get their kicks from killing pets and assaulting homeless people, have been warned they will be "hunted down" over the sickening attack.

Footage was released by the RSPCA yesterday showing the lads, aged 17 and 15, luring a moggie from underneath a car before letting their ferocious mutt maul it to death.

CCTV of the horror killing then shows one of the boys throwing cat Sully’s lifeless body into a hedge.

Sully’s owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “We are absolutely heartbroken. Sully was so happy, and was a member of our family."

Animal lovers in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, are outraged that the 17 and 15-year-old youths walked free from court on Wednesday.

They are also angry that the boys have not been publicly named and shamed. Their identity is protected by law because they are under 18.

But locals have apparently discovered who the boys are and are threatening to put posters up in the town naming them as the cat killers.

Others made chilling death threats — with one writing online: "Don't ever come up north - we will be waiting".

Another commented: "You're good as dead. Scum" while a third wrote: "Hope you rot in hell, can't wait till someone murders you".

South Wales Police refused to comment on the specific threats — but said they will act when there are safety fears.

A spokesman said: "We cannot comment on individual cases but wherever there are concerns for an individual’s safety, South Wales Police will work closely with partners to ensure that any appropriate safeguarding measures are put in place.

"Any offences would also be investigated."

The feral teens are well-known in the area for carrying out attacks on helpless animals and rough sleepers.

One local businessman, too afraid to be named, said: “They are kids who don’t value the lives of animals and vulnerable people.

“They call themselves the Merthyr Bullies, but they are cowards.

“They will pick on a harmless cat but if they came up against someone their own size they’d run a mile.”

Both boys admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a cat when they appeared at Merthyr Tydfil Youth Court.

They were also banned from keeping animals for 10 years, ordered to pay £300 costs and the dog that savaged Sully is now in the care of the RSPCA.

The bully gang are apparently involved in lamping - going into the countryside in darkness and using bright lights to attract rabbits, badgers and foxes.

Dogs are released when the animals freeze in the light beam.

A dad-of-two who lives opposite the spot where Sully was killed said: “These yobs get a thrill out of killing.

“It starts off with rabbits and foxes in the countryside, then they kill a family pet.

Where will it end?

“They have already attacked someone in the street — the police need to act now to stop this behaviour.”

South Wales Police said it was an “isolated incident” and the boys were prosecuted by the RSPCA over the cat incident.

good.. I hope someone catches the little c**nts and snaps their necks.