‘Deeply shocking’ act of animal cruelty: Cat tied in garbage bag, dumped on roadside

An elderly cat was left malnourished and in need of treatment for an infected stomach wound after an act designed to cause a ‘slow, terrifying and agonising death’.

The hunt is on for the culprit or culprits who zip-tied an elderly cat inside a garbage bag and dumped it on the side of an Adelaide Hills road.

The cat, named Stitch, went missing from his Paradise home, in Adelaide’s northeast, about three months ago when the owners reported hearing a car’s doors slamming outside their property around the time their cat disappeared.

But the 15-year-old feline was found by chance by SA Police at about 6pm on Monday.

SA Police noticed a cardboard box along Gorge Road in Millbrook. Picture: RSPCA South Australia

They noticed a garbage bag that had been secured with zip ties on the side of Gorge Road in Millbrook, in the Adelaide Hills, which had a cardboard box inside of it.

They realised a live animal was inside the box.

Stitch is now being cared for by the RSPCA SA after he was found traumatised by the event; being underweight and having an infected wound on his stomach.

Stitch was found tied inside a garbage bag that was inside a cardboard box. Picture: RSPCA South Australia

RSPCA SA chief inspector Andrea Lewis said dumping in a remote location where the cat was unlikely to be found showed a level of cruelty that should concern everyone.

“There is nothing in this situation to indicate this person or persons wanted this animal to survive,” she said.

“They must have been aware that their actions had a high likelihood of causing this old cat a slow, terrifying and agonising death.

“When there are so many humane options available to people with unwanted animals, you have to ask what kind of person would do this?

“Animals are sentient creatures – they are not garbage. The cruelty is deeply shocking.”

Stitch is now in the care of the RSPCA SA. Picture: RSPCA South Australia

If pet owners could no longer care for their animals, Ms Lewis suggested they find new loving homes or surrender them to reputable animal welfare organisations.

Abandoning an animal is illegal in SA, and those found guilty could face up to two years in jail or a $20,000 fine.

Stitch’s owners subsequently surrendered him due to personal circumstances, but the RSPCA SA said they were not suspects in the case.

Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact RSPCA on 1300 4 777 22.