WARNING: This story and video contain graphic and disturbing images.
A small kitten was found dead with string tied around its neck Monday morning in an alley between Ponto Road and McIntosh Road in Rutland.
The kitten has been recovered by the SPCA, who confirmed it was a male tabby less than six weeks old. A necropsy will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.
Resident Julie Fidler was walking to the bus stop when she came across the dead cat, whose hair had also been burned — a sight she says was absolutely heartbreaking.
"I have two cats at home. They live outside and they frequent this alleyway, too, so I just can't imagine something like this happening to them. It is horrific ... who would do something like this?"
She immediately called her mother, who contacted the City of Kelowna to report the incident. Staff have since removed the kitten from the alleyway and handed it over to the Kelowna BC SPCA.
Locals have responded to Fidler's Facebook post, calling the incident "absolutely disgusting and very terrifying."
Facebook user Lance Wehrhahn commented that doing something like this for fun "is not only appalling, but demented as well. I hope this post touches the right people that can actually do something about this. Cruelty to animals is one thing, but this goes beyond that. Premeditated killing of an animal. And in such a heinous way, too."
Madi Hansen commented: "The disrespect for life here disgusts me. Horrified that anybody could ever think this is acceptable to do."
Fidler is in the process of filing a report with the Cruelty Hotline. When the report has been filed, BC SPCA will open an investigation in collaboration with the RCMP.
BC SPCA Kelowna manager Sean Hogan says the event is "unusual" yet disturbing. He hopes public assistance can help to bring a conclusion forward.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the BC SPCA at 1-855-622-7722.
— Laura Brookes, Castanet
