Ideas for how to stop DS 2.11 from tormenting the cats - we're at our wits end

[Weegle]

He's a nightmare with them - patting (read hitting), pretending to be a dinosaur right next to them (read shouting in their ears), trying to pick them up, chasing, engaging his friends in tormenting them. It's been going on for about 3 months now and nothing seems to work. Telling him off - zero effect. Ignoring - you really can't, as he gets worse. Sending to the mat - zero effect. Telling him he can only stroke them gently with one hand - zero effect. Reward chart for being nice to them - zero effect - he never got more than two stickers. Topped off this morning by attempting to stand on one of them.

What do we do? I can't relax in my own home because he is literally tormenting them.

And he's usually such a nice boy but he's a little demon over this. And I don't know what to do because he just doesn't get anything.

Tell him that they will soon have enough and that they will scram or bite him. Say it will really hurt, he'll have to go to hospital etc etc..

My friends cat really hisses if the kids go too far and I think they understand this warning behaviour.

Poor cats.

Would it be too risky to let the cats sort it out? Our old Burmese was incredibly tolerant with dd, but she went too far once and he bit her. Just once and not as hard as he could have done (I think she still had kitten privileges) but she learnt a lesson from it.

I've tried telling him that - and in fact one of them did scratch him - he cried, and then half an hour later he was back doing the same thing. He just doesn't get it.

sorry, didn't mean to sound ungrateful - thank you for your ideas. Was in the middle of sending him to the mat for another go - that's 6 times since he got up, it's ridiculous. I think maybe I do have to leave them to it - and wait for an injured cat or child?!

I doubt if the cats will come to any harm to be honest - they have very good instincts of self preservation.

Weegle, we have exactly the same problem with our DS, except he's just two.
We have two cats; he never seems to get near, as, although he's older and almost blind, he always manages to steer clear when he hears Ds comes his way.
But which leaves our adorable, fluffy, soft little Persian to take all the shit. Bar fruitlessly telling DS she will hurt him and no longer be his friend, I am also at my wits' end. I'm only hoping he will grow out of this when he gets a bit older and he fully understands the potential repercussions.
Poor litle cat' she's so good with him.

ok, do I say anything at all to him about the new change in tactic? Or just let him get on with it?