Cat Found Dead Inside Steel Cage At Bottom Of Canal, Investigation Underway

In a case of animal cruelty, a cat was found dead inside a steel cage in a canal in Leicester, England, on Saturday.

The body was discovered by magnet fishermen who were searching for scrap metal in the canal. The feline was found dumped inside a cage at the bottom of the canal.

Calling the incident "extremely shocking and upsetting,” a Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals spokeswoman said, “A member of the public who was searching the Grand Union Canal in Newton Harcourt for scrap metal, known as magnet fishing, came across the grim discovery and contacted the RSPCA. The body of the unneutered male, black cat was found inside the cage on Saturday."

The animal welfare organization was investigating the incident and has requested anyone with any informed to contact them at the earliest.

"This was an extremely shocking and upsetting discovery and raises some serious questions about how and why this poor cat came to be in the canal. We believe the cat may have been alive when he was dumped in the canal in the trap which is a very distressing thought. It doesn’t appear as though he has been in the canal for very long, so we are now appealing for information,” RSPCA inspector Allison North, who was leading the investigation, said.

"The trap is the kind used to contain cats and are commonly used in rescue or as part of 'trap, neuter and release' programs for feral cats. The cat was not microchipped and there are no houses in the surrounding area,” she added.

Requesting the public to come forward and help, she said, "If you saw anything unusual or suspicious around this canal recently, or recognize a black male cat in the area please contact us on the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”