CRUEL animal-haters have heartlessly torched a pet cat, abandoning the animal's mutilated remains in woods.

A member of the public made the gruesome discovery of the tortoiseshell's battered body at West Moors Plantation at about 9am on Monday.

The female adult animal had severe head injuries, including a displaced eye, and also appears to have been set on fire, with burns to half her body.

RSPCA Inspector Graham Hammond said: "At best, we are talking about somebody who either knocked over or found the body of a dead cat, and in poor taste decided to set it on fire.

"At worst, we could be talking about an individual or group who deliberately killed this animal by inflicting blows to her head, and then burnt her either before or after she died."

The cat, thought to have been dead for less than 24 hours, had no collar, microchip or other identification, but other than her injuries appeared to have been a well cared-for pet.

"It is dreadful to think that a loving owner in the area may be missing his or her cat, unaware that she has met such a horrific fate," said Insp Hammond.

"This animal does not appear to match any missing pet reports we have, but if anyone is missing a female tortoiseshell cat, they should get in touch with the RSPCA."

The woods where she was found are frequently used by dog walkers and other people, but cannot be accessed by car without obtaining keys from the Forestry Commission.

It is illegal to cause an animal unnecessary suffering and anyone found guilty of doing it faces up to six months in prison and a £5,000 fine.

Anyone with information about the cat or what happened to it is asked to contact the RSPCA cruelty and information line, 08705 555999 and leave a message for Insp Hammond.

The RSPCA did supply pictures of the cat's remains but the Echo judged them to be too distressing to publish.

First published: October 19