Disturbing footage has emerged of a young woman throwing a dead kitten into the water in front of horrified onlookers.
Facebook page Aussies Against Animal Abuse alleges that a 21-year-old woman tortured a 10 to 12-week-old kitten by running it over at Port Lincoln Wharf on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula on Tuesday night.
In a video posted by the page, shocked passers-by come to a standstill as the woman swung the kitten by its tail before chucking it into the harbour as she laughed.
Authorities are now investigating the incident, which has sparked public outrage.
The RSPCA also claimed a rabbit was also allegedly harmed.
‘RSPCA SA received a report [on Wednesday] morning about an incident alleged to have occurred in Port Lincoln involving a cat and a rabbit, both deceased,’ spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘No further comment will be made while investigations are ongoing.’
South Australia Police also confirmed it’s aware of the incident.
A young woman is under investigation after she allegedly tortured a kitten
The kitten was filmed being hurled into the water at Port Lincoln Wharf
‘Following an investigation police attended at a Port Lincoln address and spoke with a 21-year-old woman,’ a spokesperson said.
‘She was taken to hospital for an assessment.
‘Police are liaising with the RSPCA regarding any alleged offences that may have occurred, and investigations are continuing.’
A spokesperson for Aussies Against Animal Abuse posted online that a cat rescuer went out with a torch and discovered the ‘traumatising’ sight of a kitten and the baby rabbit floating in the harbour.
The video was initially posted on a community Facebook group but has since been deleted, news.com.au reported.
The group said in a statement that it had been in contact with the woman’s parents and ‘that direct and decisive action’ was taken.
The group added that it appreciated that members were outraged but asked them to refrain from posting as police and mental health services carried out their investigations.
The woman’s mother also commented on the post to defend her daughter’s actions while admitting the footage was confronting to watch.
Police are liaising with the RSPCA regarding any alleged offences that may have occurred
‘It was also not easy for the person going through a mental health crisis,’ the mother wrote.
Furious Aussies who watched the horrifying footage online swiftly condemned the woman’s alleged actions.
‘I find this rather sickeningly downright cruel in every aspect!’ one viewer wrote.
‘Those poor innocent and defenceless creatures.’
Another added: ‘This is extremely upsetting. That poor kitten that was just a baby and that poor rabbit.’
The confronting footage sparked outrage from horrified Aussies
RSPCA SA has said it received a report on Wednesday about an incident alleged to have occurred at Port Lincoln involving a dead cat and a rabbit
Others took aim at onlookers who appeared to stand by and watch without intervening.
‘The people filming should be punished also for condoning that!! Absolute grubs!’ one viewer wrote.
Another added: ‘I think the people recording and standing around in a circle not doing anything should be questioned.’