Man forced cat to inhale cannabis

A man who was filmed on a mobile phone forcing a cat to inhale cannabis before swinging it round his head like a lasso was banned from keeping animals for 10 years today.

Jobless Mark Kane, 20, was handed a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, for his "appalling" cruelty by South Tyneside Magistrates.

The attack - described by the prosecution as "vile" - was carried out at his South Shields home in January, filmed on his mobile phone and later uncovered by police investigating another matter.

On the short video clip a voice could be heard, in between laughter, shouting: "This cat is getting stoned off its head" and "Get him stoned to f***."

Kane admitted two counts of animal cruelty at a previous hearing.

Ken Buck, chairman of the bench, sentenced Kane, saying: "We do think the charges of animal cruelty are appalling in nature and caused real stress and unnecessary suffering to a domestic pet which was in your care."

Clive McKeag, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told the court: "This was a vile offence."

He described how Kane got the cat, put it in a draw-string bag and then blew cannabis smoke into it.

Kane then swung the bag around his head.

Since the incident the cat has disappeared, the court heard. Kane told police he was looking after it, although it did not belong to him.

Mr McKeag said: "The cat was obviously terrified and wouldn't appreciate what is happening and it would be an extremely cruel thing for him to do."

Magistrates ordered Kane, of St Aidan's Court, to pay £100 towards the RSPCA costs and was banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Outside court, RSPCA inspector Claire Hunt said: "He had a complete disregard for this animal's welfare.

"He thought it was a funny thing to do to a defenceless animal."

She was pleased with the sentence, adding: "It deters people from doing the same thing."