Cat trapped and drowned: 70-yr-old man charged

Well known Coffs man charged after police tipped off by social media post showing the drowning of a stray cat in a garbage bin.

A well-known Coffs Harbour man has been charged with animal cruelty after photos were shared on social media.

The photo shows a cat in a metal cage, allegedly before it was drowned.

Police were alerted to the photos, and around 3.30pm on Thursday they arrested Phil Tripp at his King Street home.

“Police were notified about a social media post relating to the drowning of a stray cat in a garbage bin,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

“Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District commenced an investigation into the matter.”

He was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station and charged with torture, beat etc and cause death of animal.

Tripp was granted conditional bail to appear at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday August 16.

The photos were met with outrage on social media saying the cat was listed as missing by a local family.

Phil Tripp.

Tripp spoke to the Advocate and said he feels great “contrition, shame and guilt.”

“The matter will be decided in court and I do not plan to contest the charge nor exact any expense from the justice system.

“I have liaised with the RSPCA yesterday and made an extensive statement to the police who treated me fairly and with care in charging me.

“I should ‘man up’, own this and face the music. “

In recent months he has been recovering at home from open heart surgery.