Cat found dead in tiny cage believed to have starved to death

The animal was found by a dog walker on Wednesday near the De Vere Hotel.

Wendy Mulela, of the Homeward Bound Animal Welfare Group, said: “When they found the carrier, the cat had been dead for quite some time.

“There were some newspapers in the carrier that were dated April 4 this year.

“It’s horrible. Why would you leave an animal trapped for it to just die?”

She added that they believed the cat was alive when it was abandoned, as faeces were found alongside its body.

She said: “We’re all quite upset about it, especially the ones who attended.

“It’s evident that the cat was alive when it was left there.

“We’re better off not understanding why someone would do something like that. I can’t even imagine their thought process. It’s absolutely unthinkable.

“It was tucked away in the hedgerow on the bridleway at the back of the De Vere Hotel. It probably stayed well-hidden during the summer.

“It wasn’t meant to be found.”

The RSPCA were called, and an investigation into the cat’s death is currently underway.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Carl Larsson said: “Sadly it was reported to us that the decomposing body of a tabby cat was found on a path in Blackpool, left inside a blue and cream coloured pet carrier.

“The local council was also notified and officers collected the cat’s remains.

“The cat was not microchipped, so if anybody has any information about this or thinks they may know who the cat belonged to, they can call us on our inspector’s appeal line number on 0300 123 8018 so we can look further into this sad incident.”