Kram, where is the logic in that? Your saying the before actions merit the child to full force slap the cat? Your saying the cat just bit him for no reason what so ever? Even if it's lacking the before actions, no doubt the child provoked those actions. Cat's are not aggressive animals.
Acknowledging straight up that children abuse pets and if they were to fight back in any way they are not allowed to react just like any other cat would react to another cat. People should really think about what they are getting into when getting a pet. You should know damn well what could happen. Getting rid of a cat for something as ridiculous as it slapping the kid in the face just as the kid did to him is not fair in ANY way. Putting a pet to death for something like that is just idiotic and that person should NEVER own a pet in the first place.
When I was little, I was hard on my dog, he would bite back pretty hard to let me know what I was doing hurt. It's a learning experience in life. I'd rather learn it from a pet early in my life than from another human being that can do far more damage. But I NEVER felt he should die or should get rid of him for doing that.