Woman faces jail for killing cat in washing machine
A woman was warned that she may face jail today after she admitted killing her boyfriend's cat by putting it in a washing machine.
Diane Hannon, 42, put the deaf cat, called Paws, on a full cycle after arguing with her partner.
The six-year-old cat suffered a massive heart attack, severe burns and loss of fur during the ordeal.
Hannon, from Old Colwyn, in north Wales, pleaded guilty to causing un-necessary suffering to an animal and cruelly ill-treating an animal at Llandudno Magistrates' Court today.
The court heard that Hannon was cat-sitting at her boyfriend Duncan Carthy's flat while he visited his son on July 8 this year.
The pair had argued about Mr Carthy's ex-wife and children from his first marriage.
Glen Murphy, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: "Duncan Carthy called Miss Hannon and asked if the cat was all right, and she replied, 'I hate you. No, I've killed it.'
"Mr Carthy thought she was joking, but on Sunday at 3.30pm, when he returned to his flat, no one was there and he couldn't find the cat.
"He went into the kitchen and noticed his clothes were on top of the washing machine,and found Paws inside the washing machine clearly dead."
Mr Carthy phoned Miss Hannon. She laughed and put the phone down, the court heard.
He later found a note she had written on the back of the envelope saying "I hate you".
When interviewed by police, Hannon admitted that although she had placed the cat in the washing machine to hurt it, she did not know it would die.
Peter Brown, defending, said his client suffered from depression, and had described her relationship with Mr Carthy, who did not attend court, as abusive.
He added: "This is an upsetting case, and whatever happens, Miss Hannon has to live with what she did that day.
"She doesn't know why she did it."
He added: "Clearly, for somebody to do this type of act, she certainly wasn't thinking coldly and calmly."
Magistrates warned Miss Hannon that she may face prison.
They adjourned the case for reports until January 10, when she will appear at the same court.
