EE worker is seen carrying cat by scruff of neck

Two EE workers have been suspended after doorbell footage showed one of them carrying a cat around by the scruff of its neck, the mobile and broadband supplier has said.

The video shows two people in EE-branded jackets walking up to a house. One of them is holding the cat and briefly places it on a wheelie bin – before picking it up again and carrying it away in the same fashion.

An EE spokesperson said the pair worked for third party provider Money Expert, which had suspended the employees, adding: "EE does not condone the mistreatment of animals and are treating this matter extremely seriously."

Money Expert was also approached for comment.

The cat, named Iceberg, had since been put on painkillers for suspected bruising caused by the incident, said owner Sarah Hunt, who lives in the Broadoak area of Weston-super-Mare.

She said her pet had been "withdrawn" and "not himself", leading her to take him to the vet.

The footage has been shared widely on social media and Ms Hunt said some people had told her they had seen similar incidents in the area.

She said she had made a report to the RSPCA and was asking anyone else with similar footage to send it to the animal welfare charity.

The EE spokesperson said the company worked with "a number of third-party providers" who visited homes and promoted its latest offers.

They said EE had identified the two individuals in the footage and was investigating the matter alongside Money Expert.