AN investigation has been launched after shocking videos of a young man encouraging cats to fight and hanging them from chandeliers was shared on social media.

The RSPCA has confirmed it is looking into the ‘awful’ video which was met with outrage on Facebook when it was shared.

In the videos the man, believed to be from Blackburn, can be seen picking up two cats by the scruff of the neck and encouraging them to fight.

The two animals can be seen scratching and biting each other and are heard hissing and howling.

The man can be heard saying, “Keep going. Fight,” and a woman can also be heard saying “keep going”.

In a second video, the man is seen picking them up and hanging them from a light fitting in the living room before the cats drop to the floor.

The videos were widely condemned online with one user saying it was ‘traumatising’ to the animals.

The name of the man in question has been shared on social media, but the Lancashire Telegraph has taken the decision not to name him.

His actions were also condemned by an East Lancashire charity which rehomes abandoned cats.

Andy Richards, of the Friends of the Cats charity based in Accrington, formerly known as East Lancashire Cats, said the things that people do to cats was ‘absolutely horrific’ .

“You think you have heard the worst then something even worse comes along,” he said.

“I think there is more animal cruelty nowadays. We seem to be getting crueller.

“I don’t think it is just to do with stuff being shared on social media, I think it is an increase in callousness. It is very worrying.”

He said he thought youngsters were growing up desensitised to violence and would then take it out on those that ‘cannot fight back’.

“I think we should be going into schools and educating children about the impact on the way to treat animals and treating life with respect.”

Mr Richards said they had just rehomed a black kitten called Malkin who had to have her tail removed.

“She was brought in with dislocated legs and her tail had been pulled that hard that it was separated from her spine. We think it was from her being swung around.

“We have had similar incidents over the years.

“Thankfully Malkin is now being rehomed.”

Writing on Facebook Gabby Sharpe said: “People are sick. I’m not sharing this video as it won’t help the problem.

“This is not only traumatising the poor animals but is also causing physical harm.”

Another Joe Shaw said: “His pets should be taken off him.”

Others have said he deserves to be named and shamed ‘as does anyone who abuses animals and finds it funny’.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: “We are aware of this awful video and are looking into it further.

“If anyone has any information which may help our investigation, please call our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

“As this case is ongoing, we cannot go into any further detail at this time.”