Appeal after kittens left for dead on rubbish tip

The two surviving kittens. Picture: Scottish SPCA

Five tiny kittens which still had their umbilical cords attached were heartlessly dumped and left for dead in a bag on a rubbish tip.

One of the kittens had tragically passed away and another two died shortly after a member of the public made the shocking discovery on Thursday.

Animal welfare officers are now investigating the incident at Lochhead Landfill Site, Fife.

The surviving kittens were taken to the Scottish SPCA’s animal rescue and rehoming centre near Dundee where they successfully bonded with an adult cat which recently gave birth.

Animal rescue officer Joanna McDaid said: “This is a disgusting case of animal cruelty. The helpless kittens were only hours old and found with their umbilical cords still attached.

“They were cleaned up, checked by a vet and fed before being wrapped up warm.

“Abandoning an animal is a very serious offence, but to do so by callously dumping newborns like rubbish and leaving them to die is extremely cruel.

“We also have concerns for the mother cat as we do not know what has happened to her.

“I am urging anyone with any information to please come forward.”

Abandoning and causing an animal unnecessary suffering is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.