The Otago SPCA says the dumping of nine kittens and two cats near a swede stand between Milton and Waihola yesterday was "disgraceful". it comes just hours before the Government announced a Bill to create enforceable regulations covering the treatment of farm and domestic animals.
SPCA Otago animal manager Grace Hepburn said the 3-week-old kittens and their mothers were dumped in a box near State Highway 1.
It was "a disgraceful act from an irresponsible animal owner", she said.
A woman who lived down the road stopped at the stand and took the cats to SPCA Otago in Dunedin, Miss Hepburn said.
The mother was a tabby, the other a black cat and the kittens were a mix of tabbies and black cats, she said.
The cats were in "good condition" and the tabby mother was wearing a flea collar, Miss Hepburn said.
SPCA Otago was seeking information on who dumped the cats and would prosecute them with deserting an animal without reasonable excuse, the maximum penalty for which was 12 months' imprisonment or a $50,000 fine, Miss Hepburn said.
It was the biggest single dumping of cats in her career at the shelter, she said.
SPCA Otago executive officer Sophie McSkimming said Megan Stuart, of Mosgiel, was fostering the cats until they were old enough to be adopted out.
