Pranksters fear over cat dumped in bin

A Shropshire couple who found a cat trapped in a wheelie bin fear pranksters may be copying the actions of Mary Bale who received worldwide attention for a similar incident earlier this year.

Bale hit the headlines worldwide in the summer this year when she was caught on CCTV dumping a cat in a bin in Coventry.

Bale pleaded guilty to the charge of causing unnecessary harm to a cat and was fined £250 plus £15 victim surcharge and court costs of £1,171.04.

Now Jacqui Wood, of Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, fears someone may be copying her cruel actions in Shrewsbury.

Mrs Wood, from Pendle Way, said her husband was sweeping up leaves on Thursday when he lifted the lid of their garden waste bin and discovered a cat. She said they had no idea how the cat had come to be in the bin and they were worried somebody may have put the cat in there for a joke

She said: "The bin was empty and my husband went to put some leaves in. There was a black and white cat with a red collar in there.

"There was no way it could have climbed in itself so it makes you wonder if some idiot spotted a cat and dumped it in the bin.

"I thought it was my neighbour's cat but it wasn't and when we lowered the bin down it shot out."

She said the cat could have been in the bin for 24 to 36 hours and they had notified the RSPCA and police and put a sign up in their local shop asking people to check their bins in case it happens again.

Richard Ewels, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: "If anyone knows anything about the matter they can contact Shrewsbury Police Station on 0300 333 3000."

Andy Robbins, RSPCA spokesman, said it was the first "copycat" incident they had heard of following the case in Coventry. He urged anyone with any information to contact 0300 1234 999.