Zombie cat 'will not be returned' to his owner in Florida after surgery

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay said it had found new information about Bart's home environment

Bart the 'zombie cat' (Reuters/Humane Society of Tampa Bay)

A "zombie" cat who "came back from the dead" will not be returned to its owner after "new information" emerged about his burial.

Bart, a black and white cat from Tampa, Florida, made the news when he was reportedly run over and buried, only to return to his owner’s home five days later.

Ellis Hutson told vets that he had found Bart lying in a pool of blood after he was hit by a car, and had taken him away and buried.

(AP Photo/Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Danyelle Ho)

Bart was taken to the Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service where he had his eye removed and jaw repaired.

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay has since released a statement saying that it does not intend to return Bart to the Hutson family.

Owner Ellis Hutson told vets he was sure Bart had been dead when he buried him (YouTube)

"Recently we have learned new information about Bart's home environment and the circumstances leading up to his burial," the centre's statement read.

"We are prepared to fight for the best interests of this cat."