By Blayde Grzelka
The RSPCA is investigating what's been described as a "disturbing act of cruelty" in Bunbury after a kitten was reportedly thrown from a moving car, while another had its tail skinned off.
On Friday morning a Bunbury woman rescued the first kitten at the Eelup roundabout, the city's main road gateway.
The kitten was rescued after being thrown from a car in Bunbury.Credit: Bunbury Mail
Jolene (who only wished to use her first name) said she was driving to an appointment when she stopped at the set of lights along Sandridge Road.
It's there she said she saw an arm poke out of a blue dual-cab ute taking off from Robertson Drive, and a kitten was flung onto the road.
"(It was) a disturbing act of cruelty. I was disgusted and shocked that someone could commit such a cruel act," she said.
"It was probably unsafe to get onto the road, in hindsight, but the other drivers could see what was unfolding and were very patient."
Jolene got out of her car and said when she approached the kitten it was running in circles and meowing but ran straight into her arms once she called to it.
Police were contacted, but told Jolene without a registration number it would be difficult to track down the offender.
Jolene took the kitten to Eaton Pet Vet veterinarian, Dr Kerri Wallis, who treated the injured animal.
But in a further alarming development, Dr Wallis said Jolene's kitten may not have been the only victim of cruelty that day.
"Within 15 minutes of dealing with Jolene's injured cat, another kitten was admitted in much worse shape," she said.
"Its tail had been skinned off."
The second kitten was a similar age to the animal rescued at Eelup – about 12 weeks old – with similar colouring. Dr Wallis said while she could not confirm the cases were connected, it could not be ruled out.
"It was disturbing to see the animal in a state like that but the second kitten's condition was so poor, euthanasia was the only option," she said.
"It makes me livid to think that this could have been intentionally done."
If caught, the offender could face a five-year stint in prison or fines of up to $50,000.
The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information about either of the incidents to report it to the organisation's cruelty hotline on 1300 278 3589.