Cardboard boxes Edinburgh

A cat has been found in an Edinburgh alleyway where it was dumped in a cardboard box, sealed over with tape.

The animal was discovered by a member of the public when they came across the sealed cardboard box at Gilmerton Dykes Avenue.

Staff at the Scottish SPCA were notified and found the cat to be underweight with a severe skin issue.

The cat, who has been named Lydia, is now in the care of the charity’s animal rescue and rehoming centre in Balerno.

Animal rescue officer Fiona Thorburn said: "The box was sealed over with tape and when opened, the cat appeared to be very frightened and in a poor condition.

"She was underweight with a severe skin issue.

"Clearly, the cat was in distress and we don’t know how long the poor thing was left there for."

Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

Anyone found guilty of doing so could be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

Those with information are being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on The STV News app is Scotland's favourite and is available for iPhone from the App store and for Android from Google Play. Download it today and continue to enjoy STV News wherever you are.

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