Tory MP Tobias Ellwood targeted by vigilantes for running over and killing neighbour’s cat

A TORY MP was targeted by vigilantes for running over and killing a neighbour’s cat.

Tobias Ellwood hit the much-loved moggie in a country lane near his £1million home.

Jack Hill/The Times, The Sunday

Tobias Ellwood was targeted by vigilantes for running over and killing a neighbour’s cat[/caption]

Simon Jones

Days later the windows at his barn conversion were smashed with croquet mallets and eggs were thrown.

Police were called in to investigate, it emerged yesterday.

Mr Ellwood, the MP for Bournemouth East, clipped the Bengal cat earlier this year.

He was unaware he had hit it and when he found out Mr Ellwood, 55, apologised and offered to replace it.

A neighbour said: “The owners weren’t very happy and his house was egged by locals.”

Another villager said: “He’s very well liked but if he did that to my cat I’d go mad.”

And a third insisted: “It’s a disgrace. Everyone in the village is talking about it.”

A family member said: “We just want to mourn our cat. We want nothing to do with Tobias Ellwood.”

Dorset Police investigated the attack at the home Mr Ellwood shares with wife Hannah and two young sons

A spokesman said: “The parties have been identified and spoken to.

“The matter was dealt with by a community resolution.”

Former Army officer Mr Ellwood, chair of the Defence Select Committee, did not comment.

A source said: “This has been dealt with some while ago amicably between all parties.”