Informal concerns raised about Tom the Cat's actions while he starred in Hanna-Barbera features were 'not properly escalated or adequately addressed', according to the findings of an investigation.
The cartoon feline fronted films including The Cat Concerto, Heavenly Puss and Solid Serenade in the 1940's and 50's.
An investigation by the production company has said managers were alerted to allegations that he dangled mice by their tails, hit puppies with base ball bats, and on one occasion gave a you kangaroo a lit stick of dynamite to hold. His behaviour made female housekeepers feel uncomfortable, and intimidated.
However, no formal complaints were made and the concerns were not escalated.
M-G-M said: 'We are extremely sorry to anyone who was impacted by this behaviour and felt unable to speak up or that their voice was not properly heard, partly because it was provided by Mel Blanc.'
Tom strongly denied the allegations, saying his relationships have 'always' been consensual, reciprocal and , 'just a bit of bantz'.
A report quoted a former film maker as saying the cat's pursuit of other characters for violence was reported to production managers, but their concerns were dismissed.
The researcher said, 'They get away with it little by little, and then a little bit more. It's time these animators learned where to draw the line' Jerry is yet to comment, but Tom claims he is a victim of Mee-ow Too'.
Image: Mohamed_hassan - Pixabay
That sodding cat from next door has been going behind your back and making out to everyone in the street that it was you personally who did all of those defecations. Especially the ones on doorsteps. To make matters even worse, most of your idiot neighbours believe that flippin' feline.
However, Nina Smallcake from number 8, has leapt to your defence, bless her common decency. 'The cat is clearly telling lies. Firstly, it tells lies all of the time. You all know it lied to you about the fish that went missing. And it lied about who got Mrs Furry-Snuggles from number 4 pregnant. Just look at the unmistakable stripes on her kittens.
'Secondly, most of you have seen with your own eyes the cat crapping in your own gardens over the years. You know it has form. Many of you even have recent security camera footage proving it.
'Thirdly, the person this cat is attempting to pin the blame on is a shy human being with an overwhelming inability to go for a poop in the local pub's toilets, never mind someone's front garden in broad daylight. They have their own private, functioning toilet in their own house - obviously the only place they feel vaguely comfortable crimping one off.
'To use an analogy, the cat is behaving like a disgraceful government itself responsible for wrecking the economy, now desperately trying to stick the blame on the Bank of England.'
Image:Ben_Kerckx - Pixabay