Woman throws dead kitten by its tail into harbor after animal was run over: ‘Traumatizing’
WARNING: Distressing images
A woman has been filmed swinging a dead kitten by its tail before throwing its body into a harbor.
The distressing incident took place at Port Lincoln wharf in South Australia on Tuesday.
The woman, 21, carries the three-month old cat by its tail as she walks across a road before tossing its lifeless body into the harbor.
Aussies Against Animal Abuse shared the video on its Facebook page, alleging witnesses reported the kitten was run over and killed before it was thrown into the water.
The animal activist group claimed the woman publicly showed off the dead animal and laughed as she disposed of its body.
“A cat rescuer went out with a torch and discovered the traumatizing sight of an approximately 10 to 12-week-old kitten and the baby rabbit floating in the water,” a spokesperson for the group said on social media.
An RSPCA SA spokesperson said it received a report on Wednesday about an alleged incident that occurred in Port Lincoln involving a cat and a rabbit, both deceased, but would not comment further while investigations were ongoing.
A SA Police spokesman said police were aware of an incident that occurred at the Port Lincoln wharf on Tuesday night.
“Following an investigation, police attended at a Port Lincoln address and spoke with a 21-year-old woman,” the spokesman said.
“She was taken to hospital for an assessment.
“Police are liaising with the RSPCA regarding any alleged offenses that may have occurred and investigations are continuing.”
The video was originally posted to the Port Lincoln Rant & Rave Facebook group but has since been deleted.
In a statement shared online, the group said it had been in contact with the woman’s parents and “direct and decisive action” had been taken.
The group said while it appreciated members were outraged by the video, it asked people to refrain from posting anything more on their page while police and mental health services carried out their work.
The woman’s mother also commented on the post and said while it was hard to watch, she defended her daughter’s actions by saying “it was also not easy for the person going through a mental health crisis.”
But people were angered that mental health was being used to excuse her behavior.
The mother has been contacted for comment.
