A MAN who drowned his cat in a bucket of water in his garden shed has been found guilty of inhumanely killing her.

David Streeter, 63, Cherry Lane, Langley Green, Crawley, failed to provide his female tabby with the necessary veterinary care when she was ill and suffering with diarrhoea.

He then drowned her by holding her under water in his garden.

Yesterday Streeter was given a 12 month community order and made to pay £1,510 in costs at Crawley Magistrates' Court.

The RSPCA was called in June 2013 by a concerned member of the public who witnessed the death of the cat. After the cat was dead, Streeter was seen burying her in his garden.

RSPCA inspector Andrew Kirby said: “There is no doubt this poor tabby's sad last days were full of pain and discomfort.

“Firstly she was left to suffer in a poorly state without any veterinary treatment for at least three weeks.

“Then, rather than take the cat to a vet where she may have received treatment to resolve her health issues, her owner took the decision to kill her in a completely inhumane way. Being held under the water like this is a horrible way for an animal to die.

“There is absolutely no excuse for such callous treatment of an animal he was responsible for.”

He had previously been found guilty on October 3 of offences under the Animal Welfare Act.