Horrified motorists were forced to swerve as four kittens were thrown from the window of a speeding car on to a busy dual carriageway.
The callous act was carried out on the A13 and A132 in Pitsea, Essex.
Three of the kittens were killed, but one survived after being rescued by a concerned motorist.
Matthew Tyler, 31, said that his wife and four-year-old son were left in an “hysterical” state after seeing the incident at around 5pm on Saturday.
“What I witnessed was absolutely disgusting,” he said.
“I drove on to the main A13 roundabout where I had to swerve quickly to avoid a kitten. I then proceeded on to the A132 where kittens were being chucked from a car every 100 metres or so.”
Mr Tyler, from the village of Bowers Gifford, Essex, returned to the roundabout to retrieve one injured kitten before taking it to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, whose vets administered pain relief.
The kitten is said to be recovering well at the centre.
Mr Tyler was unable to get the number plate of the mystery vehicle and is now appealing to other witnesses to come forward.
He added: “I am pleading with anyone who saw this sick act, or knows anything, to contact the police. The people who did this need to be found.”
