Cat was ‘tied to a tree and was going to be burned to death’

Police have confirmed that they are investigating a report of a shocking case of animal cruelty in Coleraine’s Ballysally estate last Tuesday morning.

Fortunately a member of the public intervened and saved the stricken tabby, aged around six to eight months old, from an agonising death.

The male tabby is now save and well with new owners after being given a clean bill of health by a local veterinary practice.

The woman, who saved the cat, declined to be named, but claimed: “I was driving from the shop and

saw the wee cat tied up to a tree near the roundabout close to Ballysally school.

“At first I thought it was a puppy. It was hanging by the tree by a piece of red rope and two women aged between 45-50 were standing there.

“I stopped the car and asked them what they were doing and they said ‘none of your f--king business, we can do what we want.

“They said they were going to kill it and had a jug of petrol and were about to throw it over the cat.”

The woman hastily took the animal to Knockanbuoy Veterinary Clinic at Spittal Hill off the Bushmills Road.

“I didn’t think that people could do something like that. At least I saved the wee thing,” the woman said.

A description of the alleged perpetrators and details of the incident have been reported to police

Hazel at Knockanbuoy said: “It’s a perfectly healthy male tabby, really pretty. It has been very well cared for.

“We have had a couple of calls referred to us by Castlerock Catterty of people wanting it and its new owners will pick up the cat tonight.”

A post on Castlerock Cattery’s Facebook site said: “We were informed that the cat was tied by the legs to a tree and was going to be set on fire. The police have been informed and it is imperative that this cat finds a home as soon as possible.”