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Abandoned cat found in bird cage bound with rope

An abandoned cat has been found in a Melbourne park trapped in a bird cage bound by rope in a shocking case of animal cruelty.

Western Suburbs Cat & Kitten Rescue posted photos of the cat on Facebook saying it was found dumped in a park behind a house in Kurunjang, northwest of Melbourne, on Good Friday about 7pm.

The Rescue’s Nathan Miles told Yahoo7 the find is both “perplexing” and “disgusting”. He added the owner of the home found the cat behind her back fence after her dog started barking.

“There’s no excuse for this kind of behaviour in 2018,” he said.

“It’s cruel.”

The cat was found in a cage bound by rope in a Melbourne park. Source: Facebook/ Western Suburbs Cat & Kitten Rescue
The cat was found in a cage bound by rope in a Melbourne park. Source: Facebook/ Western Suburbs Cat & Kitten Rescue

Mr Miles said the cat had been de-sexed but not micro-chipped – something he found strange. He believes the cat was either stolen by somebody and placed in a bird cage or the owner dumped it.

He believes the cat may have spent most of Good Friday trapped in the cage in the sun but it appeared to be in a “good shape” and that it “hadn’t been neglected”.

“It was clearly dehydrated and drank a lot of water,” he said.

"Another day out in that cage and it would have been cooked."

The cat has since been turned into the RSPCA for investigation.

The cat has since been turned over to the RSPCA. Source: Facebook/ Western Suburbs Cat & Kitten Rescue
The cat has since been turned over to the RSPCA. Source: Facebook/ Western Suburbs Cat & Kitten Rescue

“As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide further comment on the matter at this time," RSPCA Victoria's Karen Collier said.

“The domestic, short-haired male cat is in good condition and is undergoing further checks in preparation for eventual adoption.

“Anyone who is found guilty of animal cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTAA) can face fines up to $39,642 or 12 months imprisonment."

Anyone with any information about this case, or anyone who has concerns for the welfare of any other animal, can make a report at rspcavic.org or call 03 9224 2222.