NORTHWICH residents are asked to help the RSPCA’s investigation into kittens which were dumped in the road late at night at Lostock Gralam.

The RSPCA says the animals could have been killed, and believes they were ‘discarded like a piece of rubbish’.

The charity is now appealing for information after the three kittens and their mother were dumped in a bin bag in the middle of Manchester Road.

The family was found by a member of the public at 11pm on Thursday, January 28.

The mother, who is less than a year old, was wearing a plastic red collar with a diamante design on it. All of the cats were found to be in reasonably good health.

The mother has been rehomed, and the four-month-old kittens – two females named Cherry and Damson and a male named Quincy – are now at Stapeley Grange Cattery in Nantwich.

RSPCA inspector Nadine Pengilly said: “These animals were found in a bin bag in the middle of a road at night so it was obviously dark.

“They could easily have been hit by a car and killed. It seems unlikely that this was anything other than a deliberate act, and of course we want to hear from anyone with any information.

“Neutering your cat is so important. If people acted responsibly and got their animals neutered then we wouldn’t have so many animals being discarded like a piece of rubbish.

“People should do all they can to prevent unwanted litters of kittens in the first place – there is plenty of help available with neutering, so there really is no excuse.”

People found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal could face a maximum six month prison sentence and/or a £20,000 fine.

Anyone who has any information about the cats is asked to contact the RSPCA appeals line in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018.

“The RSPCA is a charity, and relies on public donations,” said the charity.

“To assist our inspectors in carrying out their vital work please text HELP to 78866 to give £3. Texts cost £3 + one standard network rate message.”