Animal charity offer award after firework is tied to a cat.

Nov 13 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AN ANIMAL charity is stumping up an award to find the culprits of a sickening firework attack on a cat.

PETA are offering £1000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the vile attack.

The terrified cat suffered horrific burns and had to be put down.

Thugs held the female tabby down while they tied an explosive to her back.

She was in agony for up to a week before she was discovered near Dalduff Farm Shop at Crosshill.

Suzanne Barnard, from PETA, said: "We are urging residents to keep a watchful eye on their animals and to keep cats indoors.

"Because animals cannot report incidents of abuse against them and can do little to fight back, they are the perfect practice victims for those who enjoy bullying and violence.

"Ayrshire residents have good reason to be concerned. History shows that past incidents involving cruelty to animals regularly appear in the records of serial rapists and murderers. Child-killers Mary Bell, Robert Thompson and Jon Venables as well as serial murderers Ian Huntley, Thomas Hamilton and Ian Brady all started out by deliberately harming animals."

Suzanne added: "Animal abusers are cowards. They take their issues out on the most defenceless beings available to them, so people must be vigilant in order to stop them."

Kerry Miller was the horrified SSPCA ambulance driver who rushed the cat to the vet onThursday, October 29.

She said: "Workers at the farm had reported seeing the cat near the farm shop, and when I arrived it was clear that she was in extreme distress.

"It's heartbreaking to see an animal in such a terrible state. If it was indeed a firework that caused these injuries then we are dealing with a very serious crime.

"Why anyone would commit such a cruel and callous act on a defenceless little cat is beyond my understanding, and I'm sure most people will be disgusted."

Anyone found guilty of causing an animal unnecessary suffering could 12 months in jail or a £20,000 fine.