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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Leigh Mcmanus & Kieran Isgin

Wythenshawe woman 'too scared to let pets out' after her cat hung from tree

A Wythensawe woman has said she's "too scared" let her pets out after he cat was hanged from a tree in her neighbour's garden line "which had been knotted purposely".

The "utterly despicable" killing took place on June 21 while the vile killer is still on the loose due to the police drawing "a blank". Pet owner Tracy McCormick discovered the haunting scene after she was called to her neighbours' home.

She was escorted to the back garden, only to find 10-year-old jack "stiff with his tongue hanging out" and dangling from a washing line that was attached to a tree. Tracy believes the culprit seized the "loving" rescue cat as he was a timid animal and was wary around strangers.

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Tracy took Jack in nearly a decade ago after he and his siblings were discovered in a neglected state. She said: "Whoever did this did it deliberately as the line was wrapped around him and tied with three knots. It took all my strength to get it off him, but he would have fought, that’s for sure."

Tracy describes herself as an 'animal person' and often provides foster care for neglected pets (Supplied)

Speaking to the Daily Star, Tracy said she is now too scared to let her other two cats and pinscher dog outside as she fears a similar attack could be carried out again. Describing the moment she found Jack, she said: "She [the neighbour] heard me calling him in the morning and said he was in her garden and she thought he was dead.

"I ran around and found him in her tree and just screamed. I grabbed him and untied the line he was hanging from and it took me all my time to undo all the knots, it's was unbearable to see him hanging there!"

Tracy, who plans to move to Hastings, East Sussex, added: "I've got two other rescue cats who are not allowed to go out since this happened. It's horrible being in the garden right next to where it happened."

Jack's remains were taken to the RSPCA and remains there while she attempts to raise funds for his cremation. Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers investigated the incident, making CCTV enquiries and house-to-house calls but unfortunately no one reported having heard or seen anything in relation to the cat.

"Due to no further lines of inquiry this case was closed pending any further information coming to light."

If anyone has any information or CCTV footage that may be of assistance they are asked to call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.

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