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Kittens found with homemade dart in heads outside Wellington Hotel in Bunbury

Holly PrenticeSouth Western Times
Two kittens were found outside the Wellington Hotel in Bunbury with large homemade darts sticking out of their heads.
Camera IconTwo kittens were found outside the Wellington Hotel in Bunbury with large homemade darts sticking out of their heads. Credit: RSPCAWA Media

A stray kitten has been euthanised after it was found with a 30cm homemade dart in its head, with RSPCA WA on the hunt for information about a possible second kitten suffering the same fate.

The organisation is seeking information after the two stray kittens appeared to have been deliberately shot in the head with large homemade darts outside a Bunbury pub.

A cruelty report was received for the first kitten, which was spotted walking around The Wellington Hotel in Bunbury about a week ago and appeared to have been shot with the homemade dart.

The kitten was captured by rangers and had to be euthanised as the entry wound where the dart was sticking out of had become infected.

A member of the public reported a second kitten in the same condition near the hotel.

The darts appear to have been fashioned out of about 30cm long bicycle spokes, with a sharp point taped to the end and a pink paper cone at the other end.

The darts appear to have been fashioned out of bicycle spokes.
Camera IconThe darts appear to have been fashioned out of bicycle spokes. Credit: RSPCAWA Media

RSPCA WA South West inspector Genna Haines said it was clear someone had gone to some effort to intentionally harm the kittens.

“Someone has gone out of their way to make these darts, which is concerning, and it is likely they were shot at close range,” she said.

“It’s appalling to think the perpetrator is leaving the injured kittens to walk around for days with large bicycle spokes sticking out of their heads.

“We are seeking any information about this situation and who is responsible for these cruel acts.”

Ms Haines said no matter how frustrated someone may feel about stray cats living in their area, it was never OK to deliberately hurt an animal.

“Please contact your local rangers if there are stray cats in your area,” she said.

“Harming or killing them is an offence that attracts a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.”

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