It has become arguably the most ‘notorious’ example of animal mistreatment in recent memory.
Today, the RSPCA charged Mary Bale with an animal cruelty offence, after CCTV footage showed her throwing a cat, called Lola, into a wheelie bin.
Miss Bale was fined £250 after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animal. In addition to the fine Bale was ordered to pay costs of £1,171 and banned from keeping or owning animals for the next five years.
Since the incident, Miss Bale’s lawyers say she has been vilified and has received several threats.
The story has been picked up by the media around the world and during recent radio interviews with OneKind supporter Bill Oddie the case was mentioned time and time again.
Miss Bale’s lawyers say she was suffering from anxiety and depression at the time, and by her own admission had no idea what she was doing.
Outside the court, Bale said she ‘bitterly regretted’ what she had done.
Miss Bale’s case is reminder that the mistreatment of animals is a serious matter and will hopefully deter others from committing similar acts.