Animal cruelty investigation underway after video shows two men poking a cat at the CFR Patio in Pomona

POMONA, Calif. (KABC)– A cat in Pomona is under investigation in what appears to be a worrying act of violence.

Clerks at a neighborhood store said they were outraged and disgusted by what they saw on their surveillance video of two men.

Footage shows the cat sitting in the CFR Patio driveway at 9:30 p.m. when a car pulled up outside the gate. Although it’s unclear what happened next, the cat is clearly seen in distress.

The cat didn’t move as the two men walked around the fence and approached it. They appeared to be taking a cell phone video while poking the animal.

The store employees were disturbed by what they saw.

“It’s just cruel, it’s messed up. I didn’t think things like that would actually happen,” said Collin Lee, sales manager.

Even though the cat was a stray, that wasn’t the plan for long. An employee who named her Scruffy was preparing to adopt her.

“We loved her so much. I wanted to take her home this week,” said Kamil Rapacz. “I think she needed a loving home and I was so excited to give her all the love … It’s really sad that these people did.”

Store employees say they want justice for Scruffy and want to provide a safe place for cats in the neighborhood.

The Pomona Police Department said it received a report, but the case was turned over to the Inland Valley Humane Society for investigation, which declined to be interviewed.