Appeal to pet owners after cat found hung in Neasden housing estate
Chair of the St Raphaels Estate Resident Association Brenda Linton has warned cat owners to keep an eye on their pets after a ginger tom was found hanging dead from barbed wire Neasden. Picture: RSPCA - Credit: Archant
A plea to pet owners to keep an eye on their animals has been issued after a cat was found hanging from barbed wire.
The RSPCA suspect the cat was still alive when its head was put into a twine noose and hung. Picture: RSPCA - Credit: Archant
Chair of the St Raphael’s estate resident association Brenda Linton made the appeal after the RSPCA launched an investigation following the discovery of a ginger cat hanging by its neck from a twine noose tied to a wire attached to a brick wall in Besant Way, Neasden.
Investigating the case, RSPCA deputy chief inspector Nicole Broster said: “When I arrived at the scene I was absolutely horrified at what I saw.
“I have been an inspector for eight years and this is one of the worst cases I’ve had to deal with, and I’ve seen a lot of shocking things in my time.
“What’s particularly concerning is that this is a busy housing estate and the cat’s body was in full view from the road yet we only received one report to our cruelty line,” she added.
Based on evidence gained so far the RSPCA inspector suspects the unneutered male cat – which was not microchipped or wearing a tag or collar when found on Sunday, June 4 – was alive when he was strung up in the noose.
“It is awfully distressing to think he may have suffered so unimaginably,” Nicole said.
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Brenda – who has three cats of her own – told of her shock, adding: “I feel terrible because we’re supposed to be looking after our pets. As a cat lover this makes me feel ill.”
Advising fellow cat owners to keep their pets indoors, she added: “Keep an eye on your cat because this could happen again.”
Under the Animal Welfare Act it is illegal to cause suffering to any animal with six months imprisonment and a £20,000 fine resulting from a guilty conviction.
Anyone who can help with the investigation should call 0300 123 8018.
