14.02.2013

We are appealing for information after a kitten was found in one box and a rabbit in another, stacked on top of each other, at the side of a Darlington road.

The animals were found in a lay-by on the A66 in Sadberge on Friday 8 February by a member of the public who then called us.

RSPCA Inspector Emma Stainthorpe said:

I opened the first box to find a small black and white female rabbit. She was thin but otherwise in good bodily condition. The second box contained a female Tortoishell coloured kitten, aged around eight weeks old. She was thin and inundated with fleas and ear mites and very distressed.

Whoever dumped these animals had a rabbit and a kitten just a few days ago, we’re urging anyone who knows who that person is to get in touch.
 

The animals were both taken to a local veterinary practice to be checked over and are now in our care.

The boxes were found at around 2.40pm. Both of the boxes, which were white, had the words ‘Britannia International’ printed on them. One also had the word ‘Kitchen’ hand-written on it. They were sealed with white tape.

She added:

It wasn’t obvious what was in these boxes. They were sealed shut and the animals couldn’t have escaped. It was cold and raining and they had no food, water or bedding. It’s extremely lucky they were found when they were or they would have died there, plain and simple.

Anyone with any information should call the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 and ask to leave a message for Inspector Stainthorpe.

To help the RSPCA investigate cases like this text HELP to 78866 to give £3.
(Texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message).