Phil Tripp pleads guilty in cat drowning and torture case

A social media post alerted police to the drowning of stray cat in a garbage bin in a bizarre case that has sparked online outrage.

Phil Tripp has pleaded guilty to animal torture after drowning a cat in a garbage bin.

A bizarre cat cruelty case, launched after photos were shared on social media, was back in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Monday.

Coffs Harbour man Phil Tripp was charged with animal cruelty in July after a photo of the incident was shared on social media.

It showed a cat in a metal cage, before it was drowned in a garbage bin.

Police were alerted to the photos and Tripp was arrested on July 22 at his King Street home and charged with torture, beat etc and cause death of animal.

He was released on conditional bail and the matter was heard in court on Monday where he entered a guilty plea.

The matter is now listed for sentencing on October 25.

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

Tripp spoke to the Advocate after his arrest and said he felt great “contrition, shame and guilt.”

Phil Tripp with his bird Rodger. Picture: Daniel Griffiths

“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 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 the 70-year-old former journalist and music industry professional has been recovering at home from open heart surgery.