Appeal after kittens dumped and left to die in Inverness
THE Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after four kittens were cruelly dumped and left to die in the Inverness area in separate incidents.
Two newborn kittens were found inside a plastic bag in a wheelie bin on Glendoe Terrace on September 15.
The kittens were just hours old and still had their umbilical cords attached. One of the two kittens died shortly after it was rescued. The other is being hand-reared by staff at the charity’s Highlands and Islands Animal Recue and Rehoming Centre in Inverness, and has been named ‘Tucker’.
On Thursday September 22 two six-week-old kittens were discovered near a lay-by on the north-bound side of the A9 between Aviemore and Inverness. The male and female long-haired felines narrowly escaped being hit by passing cars when a motorist pulled over and picked then up. Both kittens are being cared for at the Scottish SPCA’s Inverness Centre and have been named Larry and Luna.
Investigating the incidents, Senior Inspector Gill MacGregor said: "Abandoning an animal is a very irresponsible thing to do, but it’s particularly cruel and heartless when it involves animals that are so young and helpless.
"The newborn kittens didn’t stand a chance as they were taken away from mum as soon as they were born. Whoever put them in a bag and dumped them in a bin was basically leaving them to die so it’s very lucky they were found and remarkable that Tucker is still with us, although it’s early days yet."
He added: "In Larry and Luna’s case we believe they were taken to the layby in a car and then dumped. It’s a miracle they didn’t get run over and they owe their lives to the lady who stopped and brought them to our centre.
"They are both skin and bones and extremely timid, but they are receiving a special diet and lots of care and attention so we hope they make a full recovery."
Abandoning an animal is an offence that carries stiff penalties including up to six months in prison and a £5,000 fine. Anyone found guilty of doing so can also expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.
Anyone with information relating to these kitten abandonments is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.
