Strangled cat ‘horror’

Sharon Castles is traumatised by the inexplicable cruelty her neighbour allegedly showed to his own pet – the same tortoise shell kitten she generously gave him some months ago as an eight-week-old newborn.

Miss Castles, of Tolland, confronted her 24-year-old neighbour on Saturday following reports that the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was asking nearby residents how to kill his own cat. 

“When I found that out, I went there and asked if I could have a look,” Miss Castles said. 

“He said, I have bad news for you, I strangled it to death. I was devastated. He was laughing the whole time.”

A distraught Miss Castles, who reared the kitten for its first two months, collected the deceased kitten from the man’s bin and phoned police.

“He also threatened to kill our cats too,” she said.

“He said he didn’t want it anymore. I was just in tears. I just hope he doesn’t walk away from this. It’s just devastating.”

It is a case that disgusts Riverina Cat Club secretary, Margaret Baxter, who says it reinforces the need for RSPCA to come to Wagga.

“It takes a very disturbed person to be able to do that to an animal,” Mrs Baxter said. “It makes you question where it’s going to lead.”

Mrs Baxter said people’s attitudes towards cats must change.

“I think (some people) think they’re quite disposal,” she said.

“Why couldn’t there be some sort of programs in schools about animal protection?”

Best Friends Pet Rescue Association adoption co-ordinator, Stacey Hinch, agreed animal cruelty was on the rise across the city.

“People don’t know how to look after their animals properly,” Ms Hinch said. 

“Animals are a lifetime responsibility and they should be treated with respect and not be mistreated.”

The man was arrested on Saturday night. Inspector Peter McLay said investigations were continuing and expected the man would be charged in the coming days.