John Hernandez and Jacob Salinas told The San Antonio Express-News they spotted the couple with the kitten early Thursday. After the couple left, Hernandez and Salinas said they found the kitten with its hind legs tied to the tracks.

"It was disgusting, really, seeing someone tie a kitten to the tracks, just for the joy of seeing it get run over," Salinas.

After rescuing the young calico, which appeared to be starving, the two men caught up with the couple, who were in a car. They said they backed off when the male half of the couple got a gun out of the trunk.

Hernandez has given the cat a home, at least temporarily, and is trying to fatten it up.

Police are seeking the couple, who could face animal cruelty charges, and possibly other charges, for threatening the cat rescuers.