A ginger cat was found hanged in a busy Brent housing estate, leaving an RSPCA inspector "absolutely horrified".
The animal welfare charity was contacted on Sunday evening (June 4) after a woman found the dead cat hanging by its neck from a string of barbed wire in Besant Way, Neasden.
Despite the cat's limp body in full view of the road, only the one woman had reported the sick incident, prompting the RSPCA to launch an investigation.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE BELOW
RSPCA deputy chief inspector (DCI) Nicole Broster, investigating, said: “I was concerned when the call came in and when I arrived at the scene I was absolutely horrified at what I saw.
“This poor cat was left hanging from his throat about 4ft above the ground.
“At this point we cannot be a 100% sure whether he was dead before being hung up like this, or whether this is how he died.
"However I highly suspect from the evidence found that he was alive when he was strung up.
"It is awfully distressing to think he may have suffered so unimaginably."
The unneutered male cat had no microchip and no identification tag or collar.
“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,” DCI Broster added.
“Other people must have seen him or may even have seen what happened.
“I’d appeal to anyone with any information about who may own this cat or what happened to him to get in touch with us by calling our appeal line on 0300 1234 999.”
It is illegal, under the Animal Welfare Act, to cause suffering to any animal. If prosecuted under this legislation then someone could face six months in prison and/or a £20,000 fine.
Anyone with welfare concerns for an animal can call the RSPCA’s 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999.
To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit its website or text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).
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