A shocking case of animal cruelty has emerged in the West Midlands after a cat and four kittens were discovered zipped inside a bag and believed to have been thrown over a fence near a popular park.
Horrifying Discovery in Victoria Park
The incident came to light on Saturday, January 17, when two women were walking through Victoria Park in Smethwick. They initially spotted what they thought was a cat and a kitten running near a fenced-off building.
Acting on their instincts, the pair climbed the fence to reach the animals and investigate a bag they were circling. To their absolute horror, they found another adult cat and more kittens trapped inside the sealed bag.
The charity involved, Dudley-based Raven's Rescue, stated the bag "must have been thrown over the fence, as there was no way in as the gate was locked".
Swift Action and Rescue
The quick-thinking women managed to calmly capture the loose animals and immediately contacted the authorities. West Midlands Police attended the scene and swiftly called upon Raven's Rescue for assistance.
"They were all rushed to our care and the police stayed on site to check there were no more, which they confirmed there wasn’t," the charity reported in a Facebook post on Sunday, January 18.
Upon arrival, the rescued felines were in a distressed state. "The kittens were shaking and adults panting," the post detailed. After being given a safe space, food, and water, the group began to calm down, all huddling together for comfort despite having multiple beds available.
Recovery and Investigation
All seven animals—comprising two adult cats and five kittens—are now recovering under the care of Raven's Rescue. The charity has identified one of the adults, a ginger and white cat, as the mother feeding the youngest kittens.
Raven's Rescue has condemned the "wilful act of cruelty" and announced plans to contact the company owning the adjacent building in the hope that CCTV footage might aid an investigation.
The charity expressed gratitude to the two rescuers and West Midlands Police for their rapid response, confirming: "They all now safe under our wing." They have also appealed for donations to support the animals' ongoing care and veterinary needs.
BirminghamLive has approached West Midlands Police for an official comment on the incident.
