Kitten found dumped in bin in Marchmont

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a 5 month old kitten was cruelly dumped in a tightly knotted pillowcase inside a residential bin on Marchmont Street.

Echo was dumped in a bin in Marchmont. Picture; contributed

DOWNLOAD THE EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY

Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted Wednesday (16 November) when a pair of students heard the kitten’s cry for help. They found the young cat unhurt inside the bin.

The feline is now being cared for at the charity’s animal rescue and rehoming centre in Dumbarton where she has been nicknamed Echo.

Echo with her rescuers. Contributed

Animal Rescue Officer Fiona Thorburn said, “Echo is extremely vocal, which looks to have saved her life. Thankfully, it doesn’t appear that the she was in the bin for very long as the pillowcase wasn’t soiled but it must have been very traumatic. If she hadn’t been discovered then she would have died a slow and painful death.

“Echo is doing great despite her ordeal and is very active so doesn’t seem too affected.

“This is not only an unusually cruel incident but it is also an offence. We are now looking to trace whoever is responsible and ask that anyone with information to get in touch.”

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

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.