Drowning cat saved by dog walker after being hurled from car into Doncaster stream

The cat, dubbed Honey, is now recovering after being thrown into a dyke in Bentley last month.

The RSPCA wants to find the person responsible for throwing her into the water and also a black Honda car which was seen in the area at the time of the incident between 1pm and 2pm on November 29.

The male dog walker was walking along Finkle Street when he saw the cat thrown from a car into Mill Dyke.

He managed to pull the terrified pet to safety and cradled her in his arms.

The heroic man had a dog with him, so he asked a woman nearby if she would mind caring for the pet as he was worried how his dog would react.

The woman called her husband for help and they dried off the soaking wet cat but they soon realised the pet was underweight and had an exposed abscess so they took her to a nearby vet and reported the matter to the RSPCA.

The long-haired ginger coloured cat had severely matted fur and staff at Vets 4 Pets in Wheatley got straight to work clipping the matts off so they could see if there were any further medical issues underneath.

Once the fur was cut short they could see how thin the cat was - with her spine clearly visible - she had an untreated abscess on her back and a number of cuts in her skin. She was also covered in fleas and was very weak.

Following emergency medical treatment the cat has been transferred to the RSPCA’s Doncaster and Rotherham branch, in Bawtry, where she is doing well and is now wearing a red jumper to keep her warm after her fur had to be removed.

RSPCA animal rescuer inspector Graeme Petty said: “For a person to callously throw a neglected cat into water to an almost certain death is absolutely awful.

“There is about 15ft of land before you reach the water - so it seems someone has made a real effort to try and drown her.

“She had been fully submerged in the water and because of her weak state and the fact she was cold - had the dog walker not intervened I am sure she would have not survived.

“I am so grateful for the help of these caring members of the public.

“Poor Honey was in a terrible state. She had obviously been neglected for sometime before this distressing incident.”

Graeme added: “I would also like to speak to the man who helped save Honey too as he may have some information that could help us.

The woman who cared for the cat, who does not want to be named, said: “The man walking his dog was carrying this frightened and soaking wet cat in his arms and told me what had happened. It was really shocking.

“He said the cat had been fully submerged and was struggling to get up the banking when he went to rescue her.

Anyone with information can call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.