Woman, 54, who killed her 'naughty' 12-week-old kitten by putting it in the washing machine as punishment for going to the toilet in her home is banned from keeping animals
A woman killed her 'naughty' kitten by putting it in a washing machine as a punishment for pooing inside her home.
Catherine Young, 54, smeared the 12-week-old cat's face in its own faeces before dumping it in the washing machine on a full cycle.
The black and white kitten, called Morritz, died after being tumbled around inside the machine at Clacton, Essex.
Young, who said she had a personality disorder and mental health issues, has now been banned from keeping animals, the Clacton Gazette reports.
12-week-old kitten Morritz was described as stiff and cold when she was brought into the vets
Catherine Young, 54, admitted two animal welfare offences at Colchester Magistrates' Court
Colchester Magistrates Court heard that on June 15, Young phoned a veterinary practice to say that one of her kittens had died at home.
She walked into the vets surgery later that evening, carrying one live male kitten and a dead female named Morritz.
Morritz was described as cold and stiff with wet fur.
When questioned by the vet, Young described how she had placed the kitten in the washing machine after it had been 'naughty' and pooed on her floor.
Young said she had put Morritz in the washing machine to clean its fur. She insisted she had done this previously and the kitten had been 'fine'.
Her other cat, Bobbitz, was found to be clinically healthy. The vet refused to hand the pet back over to Young and he has since been rehomed and renamed.
Morritz died after being put on a full cycle as a punishment for going to the toilet in the house
Young was interviewed two days later by RSPCA inspector Jessica Dayes.
Ms Dayes said: 'No other animals were seen at the address, however empty litter trays, cat litter, a broken cat carrier and a bag of cat food were still in the kitchen.'
In his statement to the court, the vet said: 'It is my opinion that the deceased kitten had undergone significant unnecessary suffering by being deliberately placed in a washing machine and then this being placed on a wash cycle.
'The spinning of the machine and the water would have caused significant pain, injury and huge amounts of stress.'
Young, who represented herself, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £145 in costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
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