RSPCA put down family's missing cat one hour after it was found

The RSPCA have been accused of killing a couple's pet cat - just one hour after picking her up in a neighbouring garden. Three-year-old Luna had gone out to play, but a neighbour thought she was a stray and called the animal charity on Saturday morning.

Twenty minutes later an inspector arrived and an hour after that the tabby had been taken to a local vet's and put down by a lethal injection.

Upset owners Harry and Jennifer Hamilton now plan to take legal action against the RSPCA.



Harry, a 28-year-old engineer, raged: "Luna was the nicest cat in the world. My wife, who is five-and-a-half months pregnant, is absolutely devastated. We can't believe a charity we support with donations could behave in this way. We are gutted."

He added: "The RSPCA said they thought Luna was a stray and vicious, but lots of cats are scared when approached by strangers. I thought they were supposed to keep a cat for 28 days not just a few hours. I'm so mad."

He and teacher Jennifer, 25, now plan to bury Luna in the back garden at their home in Goole, East Yorkshire. The RSPCA, which is investigating the matter, said: "We apologise profusely for this upsetting incident."