PLEASE HELP!

I think I witnessed animal abuse firsthand. I was on my daily walk, and I saw this little tabby cat following an older lady, and I thought "aw, how sweet". But then to my despair, she grabbed this white object (not sure what it was) and she hit the cat with it--very hard!

This broke my heart into pieces. She saw me and quickly ran inside. I walked across the street and tried to get close to the kitty, who was still outside, but then some neighbors came outside and I didn't want to seem like I was stealing someone's cat. I felt soooo bad I wish I had taken the cat home with me and rescued him from that place.

The question is, WHAT DO I DO? I can go back tomorrow and try to catch the cat, if that is a good idea. I wrote down the address, but I don't know where to report animal abuse. I'm in Toronto, Ontario. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME SAVE THIS KITTY.

By the way, every night I walk by there and see this cat, so there is a good chance it will be there tomorrow. This is the first time I've ever seen something like this happen, though.

How awful! I hope you can find him again.

I just don't know what to do! HELP! I feel so bad for this kitty.

Steal it or call your local animal control to report abuse. Personally, I'd steal it.
 

You know where the woman who hit the cat lives, correct?  Could you knock on one of her neighbor's doors and ask if they know who owns the cat?  I'm guessing no one does and that's why he was following the woman and she got irritated at it.  But whatever, it's now been 18 hours since you witness her hitting the poor cat...have you been back or called animal control or anything.  I don't know what the laws are in Canada, but would the police step in? 

Thank you guys for your replies. I haven't taken any action as of yet, mostly because last night Animal Services was closed when I was hoping to call and I had to leave early this morning. I'm planning to search for this cat again tonight, and I will definitely talk to the neighbors. If I find out that this is indeed her cat, or a stray, I will for sure be taking it home with me. No animal deserves to be hit like that.

What happened last night?  Was the cat still there?  Was he/she ok?  Did you "steal" it away in the night?

I asked the neighbors and they said they don't think she has a cat, so the kitty may be a stray. I went looking all over for the kitty and I couldn't find him. I'll go searching again tonight, but what can I do to get the cat to come back?

Poor baby.... :rub: I am sure this cruel lady didn't want the cat following her or around her. I probably would have shouted out at that nasty lady, but that is just me. :lol3: If you see the kitty again, I would take it in. If you call animal control, they will take it away and who knows what fate it will have then. I would ask neighbor's and see if anyone claims the cat. Are you thinking of giving this cat a home? Or maybe finding it a home? I hope you see the cat around again.