Pet cat found in Taunton rubbish bin (From Somerset County Gazette)

Pet cat found in Taunton rubbish bin

7:00pm Sunday 9th September 2012 in News By Phil Hill

THE owner of a live cat thrown into a wheelie bin has branded the culprit “diabolical”.

The one-year-old tortoiseshell may have been inside the empty rubbish bin for several hours before it was discovered in a distressed state.

Little Tigger’s owner, Isabel Morgan, said: “After the bin was emptied last Tuesday, I put it back in the right place by the front gate and I know the lid was definitely down, so there’s no way she got into the bin herself.

“Someone must have come into the front garden and put her in there.

“She is only a small cat and wouldn’t have been able to escape alone and was really distressed.

“It’s diabolical anyone would do such a thing.”

To make matters worse, Little Tigger recently had three kittens, who were ready for their feed by the time Mrs Morgan’s daughter, Sophie, discovered her.

The RSPCA has appealed for witnesses in an attempt to track down the culprit to the incident in Cleveland Street, Taunton.

Insp Peter Barton said: “Sadly, we don’t believe there is any CCTV evidence to help us.

“However, this is a residential area and there would have been other people around so we hope someone will have seen something and come forward.

“I’m in no doubt this cat would have been caused undue stress as a result of this incident and whoever is responsible needs to understand this sort of behaviour towards an animal is totally unacceptable and won’t be tolerated.”

Witnesses should call the RSPCA on 0300-1238018.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, anyone found guilty of causing deliberate suffering to an animal can face up to six months in prison and/or a £20,000 fine.