A cat found dead with an electrical cord around its neck has caused distress and dismay.

The cat was discovered next to fly-tipped rubbish in Bats Lane (the turning for Martinstown) just off the A35 west of Dorchester.

It was brought to Castle Veterinary Clinic after being found by a member of the public.

The cat didn’t have a microchip - so the RSPCA has launched an appeal to try to find out where it came from and what happened to it.

(Image: RSPCA)

The man who found the cat, a farmer with two cats of his own, said: “I was coming home from work, and it was in the middle of the road. It was about ten yards off the main road.

“It wasn’t until I picked it up that I saw the cord.

“I was only going to move it off the road when I saw the cord. The cord around its neck had a knot in it.

“Just like everyone else, I think it is appalling. I can’t see any good reason it could have happened.”

Dorchester mayor, Robin Potter said: "It is obviously a very distressing incident.

"We hope this is an isolated incident.

"If this cat had a family and was loved, then my greatest sympathies go out to them."

RSPCA Inspector Patrick Bailey, who is investigating for the animal welfare charity, said: “The cat had an electrical cord tied around his neck and the vets think he was sadly killed by this cord.

“The member of the public, who found him at midday on 7 September, kindly took him to the vet, had discovered him alongside a pile of fly-tipping in the middle of the road in Bats Lane. It’s thought he’d been dead around 48 hours before being found.

“We’re really hoping to be able to locate his owner and find out how he came to be found in this state.”

Anyone with information about the person who set the trap should contact the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.

This comes as RSPCA rescues in Dorset, including the RSPCA Taylors Rehoming Centre, based at Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, say they have been inundated and struggling to meet demand for space.

In 2023, Taylor's took in 178 cats compared to 125 in 2022. It rescued 43 rabbits, up from 34, and 23 birds compared to the 11 it rescued in 2022. 

Among them, a cat and six kittens were dumped on a road in Lulworth. Kittens were abandoned near Dorchester tip and, on New Year's Eve 2022, a number of guinea pigs were left on the bypass in freezing temperatures. Thankfully, they were saved.