The RSPCA has issued a public appeal for information after a recuse cat has died after being hung on a washing line in Manchester.
In what the RSCPA said appeared to be “a deliberate act”, a 10-year-old cat named Jack was found hanging from a washing line that was tied from a fence to the lower branch of a tree in the back garden of a property on Northcote Avenue in Wythenshawe on Tuesday 21 June at around 8am.
The washing line was said to have been wrapped round the cat’s neck three times and tied in a knot before he was strung up.
Jack’s distraught owner, Tracy McCormick, said it was “horrendous” that someone could do this to the cat she rescued as a kitten nearly a decade ago after he was found in a neglected sate.
Ms McCormick said: “He was timid and no-one had ever complained about him. He was a cat I had taken from a bad situation and he was loved. Whoever did this did it deliberately as the line was wrapped around him and tied with three knots.
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“It took all my strength to get it off him.”
The RSPCA is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the cat’s killing, and have called it a “sickening act of cruelty”.
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The RSCPA said the cat’s death appeared to be “a deliberate act” / Credit: RSPCA
RSPCA Inspector Ryan King believes Jack was probably killed in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and, after reviewing nearby CCTV footage, is now appealing for information from anyone who may have seen someone acting suspiciously in the area.
Inspector King said: “This seems a deliberate act as the line had been moved from where it was being used for repair work on a tree.
“The owner was distraught and her neighbours were quite horrified.
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“You have to wonder why someone would do this, and it seems strange they would go into a back garden to do it.”
He added that a neighbour “heard the side gate being rattled” and found that it was unlocked in the morning.
Anyone with any information or CCTV footage that may be of assistance is being asked to come forward and call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.
Featured Image – RSPCA
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd June 2022 
