Cat drowning and torture case comes before the court

Police were first notified about a social media post relating to the drowning of a stray cat in a garbage bin.

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

Well-known Coffs Harbour man Phil Tripp was charged with animal cruelty last month after a photo of the alleged incident was shared on social media.

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

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

Phil Tripp has had a long career in the music industry. He is pictured here in 1996 relaxing with his guitar and two dalmatian dogs.

He was released on conditional bail and the matter was heard in court on Monday and adjourned to August 30.

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.”

“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 he has been recovering at home from open heart surgery.