A woman has been arrested after 23 cats were discovered trapped inside a wheelie bin.
The woman, identified as Sharon Claire Price, allegedly placed the cats inside the bin and secured the lid with a disused microwave. The animals were left without food or water.
When the cats were later taken to a vet, it was revealed that those at the bottom of the pile had been slowly crushed and suffocated under the weight of the others. Their bodies were also soaked with urine dripping down from the cats above them.
According to reports, the animals were found by housing association staff before being collected by charity workers and rushed to a veterinary clinic for urgent treatment.
During the rescue, eight cats were found dead, while the remaining 15 survivors were standing on their bodies. The surviving animals were said to be severely dehydrated, underweight, and covered in fleas. They had reportedly been trapped in complete darkness inside the bin, exposed to high temperatures, while a strong smell of ammonia filled the space.
After her arrest, Sharon, 52, claimed she had found the cats in nearby woodland. She also said she had been advised by another animal charity to place them in a bin and secure the lid while she was moving out of a property.
However, an investigation later found that staff had actually advised her to contact the RSPCA directly, which she failed to do.
The 15 surviving cats were later placed in the care of the RSPCA and Cats Protection.
Speaking on the incident, RSPCA inspector Liz Wheeler, who led the investigation, said:
“People will be absolutely shocked to think of what these poor 23 cats went through trapped in this wheelie bin.
“Price claimed she had found the cats in woodland the previous day and had been advised to place them in a bin. Our enquiries did not support that account.
“It was clear the cats had been suffering for some time due to their poor body condition and heavy flea infestations.
“Placing them in a bin on a hot day and trapping them inside caused significant and unnecessary suffering.”
During Sharon’s court trial, she was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for two years. She was also ordered to complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and banned from keeping cats and dogs for 10 years.
In addition, she was ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.
During the hearing, a vet told the court: “All of the 23 cats suffered immensely.
“The deceased cats at the bottom of the pile were slowly crushed and suffocated by the weight pressing down on them, and suffered the worst from the effects of the urine of the cats dripping down to the bottom of the bin, soaking their skin and burning their airways.
“Those trapped underneath were unable to move and the ones higher were tangled in a metal grid with no way to escape.
“They had no option but to stand or lie on the dead bodies of other cats below them.
“They all would have experienced extreme fear and physical pain without any way of being able to achieve even temporary relief from their conditions.”
In mitigation, the court was told that the defendant has mental and physical health issues and also helps care for two daughters with mental health challenges.
