A doorbell camera caught a troubling scene in Weston-super-Mare. The video shows two people in EE jackets near a house. One person carries a cat named Iceberg by the scruff of its neck. The worker puts the cat on a wheelie bin.
Then they pick it up the same way and walk off. The clip went viral on social media. It caused quick action from both the cat’s owner and the companies. People now question how sales reps treat pets. Many wonder who is responsible for proper training. Companies must ensure their reps know how to behave around animals.
How Companies Responded to the Viral Cat Footage
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EE and Money Expert acted quickly after the video spread online. An EE spokesperson made a clear statement. “EE does not condone the mistreatment of animals,” they said. “We are treating this matter extremely seriously.” EE explained that the people in the video weren’t their direct employees. They worked for Money Expert instead. This third-party company promotes EE offers through door-to-door sales.
Money Expert has suspended both workers while they investigate. EE is also running their own investigation with Money Expert. They want to find out exactly what happened. The fast response shows both companies take animal welfare seriously. This is especially important as the video continues to spread on social media.
The Cat’s Condition and Owner’s Response
The incident has hurt Iceberg, the cat involved. Owner Sarah Hunt lives in the Broadoak area of Weston-super-Mare. She says Iceberg has been “withdrawn” and “not himself” since that day. She was worried about her pet. So she took him to a vet right away. The vet gave Iceberg painkillers. They suspect he has bruising from being handled badly.
Ms. Hunt didn’t stop at getting medical care. She filed a report with the RSPCA too. This is the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. After sharing the video online, other people contacted her. They said they saw similar incidents in the area. Ms. Hunt now asks anyone with similar footage to send it to the RSPCA. This could help show if there’s a bigger problem with how sales reps treat animals.
What This Incident Reveals About Door-to-Door Sales Practices
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This troubling incident shines a light on the potential risks associated with door-to-door sales operations and the training provided to representatives. EE acknowledged in their statement that they work with “a number of third-party providers” who visit homes to promote their latest offers. This business model creates a situation where individuals wearing a company’s branding may not be directly employed or trained by that company, potentially creating accountability gaps.
Animal welfare experts generally advise against carrying adult cats by the scruff of the neck, as this can cause pain and distress. While mother cats naturally carry kittens this way, adult cats have different physical needs and sensitivities. The incident raises important questions about the training these representatives receive regarding appropriate conduct on customers’ property, including how to interact with family pets they may encounter.
