An investigation is underway after two dead kittens were found abandoned with horrific injuries for the second time in a year.
The RSPCA is appealing for information following the tragic discovery on a popular walking route in North Lincolnshire.
According to the charity, the kittens suffered horrific injuries which don’t appear to be the outcome of contact with wildlife. A member of the public came across the cats at two locations close to each other on Marsh Lane at Winteringham near Scunthorpe on the evening of Wednesday 9 January.
The bodies of the very young kittens were taken to a local vets, who confirmed the extent of the injuries. One of the cats had suffered trauma to the head while the other had a large stomach laceration, which appeared to have been inflicted by a sharp instrument.
A year ago four kittens were found abandoned at the same location, and although they were unscathed and have since been rehomed, the RSPCA says it is interested in information about anyone locally who is known to have been trying to give up cats.
The animal charity said it would also like to speak to anyone who was in the area on the day and saw anything suspicious.
One of the kittens was ginger, while the other was a ginger and black tabby. They were found on the side of Marsh Lane near to a small brook (Haven Drain) and an equestrian centre.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer James Dack, who is investigating, said: “This was a horrendous discovery for anyone to make as these kittens had suffered really terrible injuries.
“At the moment we can’t say for certain what happened but it does appear they have not fallen prey to wildlife – the laceration on one of the kittens looks like a surgical cut. These deaths appear to be suspicious and it is certainly a bit bizarre to have two kittens found with injuries like these close to each other.
“This is a quiet rural area, but it is used by walkers and we are hoping someone may have seen something or knows something about who owned these kittens.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 and quote incident number 01428132.
(Image: Google Maps)
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.