Fine for man who drowned pet cat

A man who killed his pet cat by drowning her in a bucket of water has been fined and sentenced to a community order.

David Streeter took the cat into his garden in Crawley, West Sussex, and held her under water rather than taking her to the vet when she fell ill, an RSPCA spokeswoman said.

The charity was called in June last year by a concerned member of the public who witnessed the death of the cat.

After the cat was dead, Streeter was seen burying her in his garden, the spokeswoman said.

Streeter, 63, was found guilty last month of failing to provide the tabby cat with the necessary veterinary care when she was ill and suffering with diarrhoea, and causing her unnecessary suffering, she said.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and fined £1,510 at Crawley Magistrates’ Court today.

RSPCA inspector Andrew Kirby said: “There is no doubt this poor tabby’s sad last days were full of pain and discomfort.

“Firstly, she was left to suffer in a poorly state without any veterinary treatment for at least three weeks.

“Then, rather than take the cat to a vet where she may have received treatment to resolve her health issues, her owner took the decision to kill her in a completely inhumane way.

“Being held under the water like this is a horrible way for an animal to die.

“There is absolutely no excuse for such callous treatment of an animal he was responsible for.”