Wheelie bin cat dumping woman fined £250

Mary Bale. Source: The Guardian

A bank worker who sparked international outrage after dumping a cat in a wheelie bin has been fined just £250 after a judge declared that public vilification was punishment enough.

Mary Bale, 45, became a hate figure when she was caught on CCTV stroking the four-year-old tabby before picking it up by the scruff of its neck, dropping it into the bin and closing the lid.

She appeared close to tears as she admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the animal at Coventry Magistrates' Court.

A second charge of failing to provide the cat with a suitable environment, contrary to the 2006 Animal Welfare Act, was dropped.

District Judge Caroline Goulborn told Bale that she could potentially have caused substantial harm to the cat, but acknowledged that in reality it had not been hurt.

Handing down the fine, she said: "The media interest in this case has resulted in you being vilified in some quarters and I have taken that into account."

Judge Goulborn, who was told Bale's elderly father was gravely ill at the time, added: "I accept that you were in a stressful situation at the time, but that's no excuse for what you did."

Bale was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and legal costs of £1,171.4. She was banned from keeping or owning animals for the next five years.

The court heard that Bale - who had faced a maximum fine of £20,000 or up six months' imprisonment - could provide no answer as to why she had acted in such an "impulsive and irrational" way.

She has resigned from her job as a result of the incident and has also been suffering from depression. Bale, whose father died last Thursday, left the court without comment.

RSPCA Inspector Nicola Foster said she hoped the case would act as a deterrent to anyone who feels it is acceptable to mistreat animals.

She added: "This was a deliberate act and could have had far worse consequences as the defendant had no way of knowing if there was anything like broken glass in the bin, nor how long the cat would be there before she was found, nor if the bin was due to be emptied.

"We are pleased that the Court agreed that a complete disregard was shown for the cat's welfare and that the cat suffered/cat's needs were not met as a result of being stuck inside the bin for so many hours."

Bale was caught in August after footage showed her approaching the cat, called Lola, who was sitting on a garden wall. Bale looked both ways before picking her up and dumping her in the bin.

The terrified animal was trapped for 15 hours before her owners Stephanie Andrews-Mann, 24, and husband Darryl, 26, finally found her the following morning.

The couple then reviewed CCTV and posted a 1:27 video of the callous incident on YouTube in a bid to catch the culprit.

Bale, who lives alone in a terraced property in Coventry, was identified within a matter of days and was forced into hiding after she found herself at the centre of a public outcry.

She was signed off work and two PCSOs from West Midlands Police guarded her house.

A Facebook page set up by Mr and Mrs Andrews-Mann to identify the person responsible received tens of thousands of followers with many angry cat lovers posting threats against her.

A group called Death to Mary Bale was swiftly removed by moderators of the social networking site.

She initially said she binned the feline as ''a joke'', adding: ''It's only a cat.'' But she apologised and described it as "a split second of misjudgement that has got completely out of control."

Outside court, David Murray, defending, stressed that Bale wished to apologise for her actions and "bitterly regretted" what she had done.

He said: ""Despite a lengthy period of soul-searching she cannot still explain her behaviour and wishes to again repeat her apology to the owners of Lola.

"For a moment's aberration she has paid a significant price. She has received hate-mail, abusive telephone messages and death threats.

"Sadly, her father passed away last Thursday and she now wishes to be with her mother and family and offer them support during this period of grief." Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Pink Panther: Woman admits to dying her kitty pink

A cat found with pink fur and found by the RSPCA was dyed pink by her owner who wanted its fur to match her hair. Defiant Natasha Gregory said she was proud of her actions - and would even do it again.

The 22-year-old mother-of-two admitted using food colouring to turn the short-haired cat's fur a vivid shade of pink.

The fluorescent feline, named Oi! Kitty, is now so bright that she glows in the dark.

She told the Daily Mail: "It's my favourite colour, I just love it."

"I've dyed my own hair pink and I adore wearing pink clothes. Turning Oi! Kitty pink just seemed like a good idea."

Oi! Kitty's shocking appearance sparked an RSPCA investigation after she was found roaming in a back garden.

A nationwide appeal was launched to find the person responsible for dyeing her white fur, with animal welfare officers believing it was a sick prank.

But after seeing the widespread media coverage, Natasha contacted officials to claim back her pet, which had gone missing days before.

The self-described 'animal lover' who lives with her boyfriend of five years Michael Dennis, along with his daughter and their own two children, then confessed to dyeing the cat pink.

"I read the instructions on the bottle of food colouring and there was nothing to say that it was harmful to humans or animals. We eat the food the dye is used on, so I knew it wasn't toxic.

"I just poured some of the liquid over my hands and robbed them together and then over the cat. I was careful to avoid her face and eyes though.

"She didn't seem to mind and I think she looked lovely.

"I have contacted the RSPCA to get her back and the lady I spoke to said she didn't think it would be a problem. But I'm going to have to wait until they go back to work today."

Despite being branded cruel by vet Penny Gillespie, who has been caring for the cat since she was found in a back garden, Natasha Gregory said she doesn't regret doing it.

"People have made this massive cruelty thing out of just food colouring. People do it to dogs. You often see it with dogs on TV so what's the difference with a cat?

"I would never hurt an animal. It's just food colourant. I would never put proper dye on an animal but I know food colourant is alright."

Cat survives for a month in a chilled food warehouse...by eating frozen peas

Just spotted this on the Daily Mail website.

A cat has survived after being trapped for four weeks in a chilled food warehouse - by eating frozen peas.

The feline managed to survive temperatures of -2C (-28F) for a month in the warehouse before it was finally rescued by the RSPCA. 

The 12-month-old black and white tabby cat, who has been nicknamed 'Frosty' by RSPCA staff, is believed to have survived by eating frozen peas and licking moisture off icy food packets.

Frosty, who is believed to have been trapped in the warehouse after entering in the back of a lorry, was spotted by staff in the warehouse early last month but escaped numerous attempts to catch him.

The large warehouse is maintained at a constant temperature with its main doors closed except when large articulated lorries arrive to deliver or remove palletised cargo.

Staff believe Frosty may have been too frightened to leave when he had the opportunity because of the noise and activity around the main doors.

The RSPCA caught Frosty in a humane trap after leaving it overnight baited with cat treats, milk and water. The poor cat had to have parts of his ears and tail amputated after the ordeal because of frostbite.

I'm so happy he's okay - if anything like that happened to Charlie I'd be devastated!

RSPCA inspector calls for cat owners to be more responsible

RSPCA inspector Ian Robertson is calling for cat owners to be more responsible after the 'worst week of his career' for dealing with abandoned cats.

Ian said the problems have been caused by people moving out of their homes and leaving their cat behind.

In some cases new tenants have been forced to look after cats abandoned by the previous occupants as the RSPCA shelter in Birkdale is full to capcity.

Ian told Cat Chat: "This has been the worst week of my career for having to deal with abandoned cats.

"In one case the family had moved to a foreign country which must have taken some time to plan, so they could have contacted us and given us time to find a home for the cat.

"Abandoning a household pet is an offence which can lead to imprisonment of up to 51 weeks and a fine of £20,000.

"If people want to give up their cat they should contact us and we can help rehome it."

If you need help rehoming a cat call 0300-1234-999. People who want to give a new home to an abandoned cat can call the RSPCA kennels on 01704-567624.

Free RSPCA microchip event for your pets in Ormskirk

The Southport, Birkdale & District Branch of the RSPCA is offering to microchip Ormskirk pets free of charge.

Pet owners can take their dogs, cats and rabbits to a special free microchipping event to be held on February 1, between 11am and 3 pm, at Ormskirk Cricket Club, Brook Lane Ormskirk. 

The RSPCA believes that microchipping is the most reliable way of finding your pet if it is lost or stolen.

The quick and painless procedure places a small chip, the size of a grain of rice, underneath the animal's skin.

Each microchip has a unique number, which is then entered into a national database alongside the owner's name, address and telephone number.

The RSPCA's chief veterinary officer Steve Cheetham said: "Microchipping your pet provides the ultimate assurance that should your pet go missing it can be easily traced.

"Even the most pampered pets can stray too far from home and get lost or stolen but a microchip permanently links the pet and the owner to ensure a happy reunion should the worst happen."

The RSPCA asks pet owners to put their dogs on a lead while cats and rabbits need to be in a suitable carrier.

Owners of other small animals should check with the Animal Shelter before taking them to the Cricket Club. Further details can be obtained from the Animal Shelter in New Cut Lane Southport or by phone on 01704 567624

Tips to keeping your cat safe on Bonfire Night

Remember, remember the fifth of November!

Bonfire Night and fireworks can be distressing for all pets not just cats.


I spoke to RSPCA inspector Ian Robertson for some tips to keeping Charlie safe on Bonfire night.

This is the advice he gave me:

Tip 1: Remember that these days, fireworks and Bonfire tend to last more than night, so think about keeping nocturnal cats in for the next fortnight.

Tip 2: Make sure your cat comes in before it gets dark.

Tip 3: If you go out put the TV or radio on, familiar noises can help a distressed pet and block out the sounds of fireworks.

Tip 4: Draw the curtains and blinds to stop the fireworks flashes coming in.

Tip 5: Keep the same routine with food and water as not to disrupt a cats routine.

Tip 6: Make sure the cat has a collar, chip and name tag, just in case he does manage to escape.

Tip 7: Also think about pets in hutches or cages - bring them indoors or into a shed or garage.

Tip 8: Exercise your dog before the fireworks start.

Tip 9: Some pets especially dogs get highly distraught, consider getting some medication from the vet for a couple of days to keep your dog calm.

Tip 10: Make sure there are no animals like hedgehogs or cats in your bonfire - check before you light it.

Ian added: "If you decide to use indoor party poppers think about your pets. Maybe put them upstairs or in the next room.

"Ultimately you know how your pet will react, so take care of them."

Cats in the News

There's been some stowaway cats hitting the headlines in the last couple of weeks.

From BBC and Dereham Times:

First, there was Lucy the fiesty feline from Great Massingham who took a whistle-stop tour of West Norfolk.

The short-haired tabby and white cat, who is nearly three, got into a space near the lorry's air brake and axle.

She was only found when staff at Supreme Carpets in Dersingham heard her cries thinking she had been run over.

It is thought the cat hopped on board the lorry in Mildenhall in Suffolk when it stopped for 45 minutes.

The lorry had travelled from Chelmsford in Essex, via Mildenhall, to Dersingham, stopping very briefly at King's Lynn.

Her owner Rob Petto said Lucy's travels began when she saw an opportunity for a ride in the back of a delivery van near her house early on Wednesday morning last week.

“A delivery driver stopped to unload his cargo and left the doors open. Lucy got into the van and then got out at the next stop on Norfolk Street in King's Lynn.

“She had been in the back and must have been quite scared, she jumped out and scarpered.”

Mr Petto and his father Alan, who also looks after Lucy, spent hours looking for their pet in King's Lynn but she had already hitched a ride to Dersingham, where she was found later on in the morning.

“She does like to get into cars but this is the first time she has taken a long journey, although her brother Homer once jumped on the bus to King's Lynn.”

It was originally thought the stowaway had boarded the carpet lorry in Mildenhall and clung on for more than 42 miles.

Then there was Manuel the kitten who survived a journey from Portugal to Northamptonshire in a lorry when he was only 10 days old and has now been released to an animal charity.

Manuel the kitten has been in quarantine for six months since he survived the three-day journey and is now looking for a new home. Aaaaahhhhhh!