Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Suitcase full of kittens thrown over a fence in Brooklyn

Police rescued seven kittens, but one of them died when it was taken to the local rescue centre

 

Rachael Revesz
New York
Wednesday 16 March 2016 11:50 EDT
Comments
Seven kittens were rescued hours after someone threw the suitcase into a car park
Seven kittens were rescued hours after someone threw the suitcase into a car park (NPYD / Twitter)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

In a city where people clamour to visit cat cafes, not all the cats are treated kindly.

A suitcase full of kittens was thrown over a fence in Brooklyn this week before the animals were rescued by police.

Two police officers came to retrieve the seven tiny grey kittens, who were just one or two weeks old, after they were found by a woman in a car park in Williamsburg.

The woman told police she found the suitcase half open at about 7.30am.


One of the rescued kittens NYPD / Twitter

 One of the rescued kittens NYPD / Twitter
 (NYPD / Twitter)

Surveillance footage shows someone throwing the suitcase over a nearby fence about six hours beforehand, as reported by AM New York.

One cat died, all were food-deprived and one was bleeding from the ear.

The New York Police Department posted pictures of the rescued cats and appealed to the public for any information on the “lil’ guys”.

The animals were taken to the Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition, before being transferred to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The case is being investigated by the NYPD’s Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad.

New York City, Williamsburg and neighbouring region Greenpoint have long been overrun by stray cats, with posters advertising for people to join local cat-feeding groups. Many feral cats are trapped, neutered and returned (TNR) to the outdoors, as part of an initiative by the New York City Mayor's office.

Every weekend animal charities gather in Manhattan’s Union Square to offer stray cats that have been neutered and vaccinated and are ready for adoption.

Manhattan’s corner stores - or “bodegas” - often adopt a stray cat which has wandered in and never left, prompting the popular Instagram account “bodega cats”.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in