Fury as kittens found hanging at busy mall

ANIMAL welfare charities have united in condemning the cruel thugs responsible for the deaths of five kittens found hanging at a busy shopping centre.

Grampian Police yesterday confirmed that the force was investigating the discovery of the bodies of the kittens at the shopping complex at Westhill on the outskirts of Aberdeen.

It is understood that three of the kittens were found hanging from a bin behind a bakery at the shopping centre and two others were found hanging from a gate at the retail complex. The kittens were discovered by a caretaker on Tuesday at the shopping centre in Old Skene Road.

Chief Inspector John Carle, of the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, described the horrific deaths of the five kittens as "sick". And he declared: "If this was done after they were dead, that's a sick joke. But if they've been killed by hanging, then that's just horrific."

He added: "Under normal circumstances, we would get the animals examined to establish the cause of death."

A spokeswoman for the Cat Protection League said of the incident: "I am absolutely appalled. It beggars belief that anyone could do this to kittens."

Staff working at the shopping centre were also said to have been left "disgusted and sickened" by the deaths. One employee said: "You hear about people being cruel to animals, but to have it right here is too much."

She continued: "At first I thought it was someone who had a new litter they wanted to get rid of, but no way could anyone who saw these little things being born do that to them.

"To be so cold and to take the time to do this to them is just horrible."

Another worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "Some of the kittens were found hanging from a bucket. Everybody is shocked and disgusted by their deaths."