Animal welfare chiefs have hit out at thugs who drowned a cat in a "horrific, terrifying" and deliberate act of cruelty.
The remains of the poor moggy were discovered in a pillowcase by a member of the public on Wednesday, April 20.
A post-mortem examination suggested the cat had been alive and healthy at the time it was deliberately drowned, and had been fed shortly before being killed.
The pillowcase was tied closed with a hair bobble when it was found on the promenade in Leven, Fife, last week.
The young, female, black-and-white cat was not chipped - meaning her owner cannot immediately be traced - and would have experienced "a horrific, terrifying death".
She appeared to have been previously well cared for.
The Scottish SPCA has issued pictures of the cat and the pillowcase she was found in in the hope that someone will recognise the pattern and the kitty herself.
Animal welfare inspector Robyn Gray said: "This is a very concerning incident that was understandably distressing for the member of public involved.
"The cat is a young adult, black and white cat who is not microchipped and was not wearing a collar. She was found in a pillowcase, which was tied up with a black hair bobble.
"There were also the remains of a green, plastic refuse sack inside the pillowcase."
The animal welfare charity collected the cat after the grim discovery was made and sent the poor mog for a post-mortem examination.
Vets concluded that the cat had drowned at sea after being stuffed into the bag alive.
Robyn added: "There is no bruising to suggest she was held down so it's likely she was still alive when she was placed in the bag and put in the sea.
"This has not been an accidental drowning, but a deliberate act and would have been a horrific, terrifying death for the animal.
"The post mortem also showed she has been cared for up to this point as she was in good body condition, with no medical issues and had been fed shortly before she was killed.
"It is an offence to deliberately harm or kill an animal and we're sure that someone out there must recognise this cat, or the pillowcase she was found in.
"We would urge anyone with information on this incident to contact the Scottish SPCA's confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999."
The incident comes after the Record reported on another Scottish SPCA investigation concerning the apparent coursing of a deer near Forfar.
Eyewitnesses said that a group of men walking five dogs off their leads did nothing to stop the pack from savaging the animal in a quarry in Angus.
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