Cat trap charges: Floreat father accused of causing animal’s death by trapping it in Esky

A pet cat has died after it was allegedly trapped in a portable cooler without water for several hours at a property in Perth.

A 38-year-old father from Floreat will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court later in January accused of confining the animal in an Esky “for approximately eight hours” and “likely causing” its death.

The man had called Nedlands rangers just before 5pm on March 29, 2023, asking them to collect a cat he had captured earlier that day but was now dead, the RSPCA said.

The man reportedly told them the cat was put in the cooler at 7am.

“He said he had removed the drain hole of the Esky to allow for air flow. He also said he had not put any water in the Esky for the cat,” the RSPCA said.

According to the animal welfare group, the man told visiting rangers the cat was likely a stray and he had put it in the Esky because it was aggressive and he feared it would scratch him and his children.

Rangers scanned the cat’s microchip and confirmed it was not a feral animal but someone’s pet.

The cat was surrendered to the RSPCA where vets determined it likely died due to a lack of oxygen “exacerbated by increased humidity from water vapour”.

“Stress and fear would have increased metabolism, heat and carbon dioxide production, as well as increase oxygen requirements,” the RSPCA said in a statement.

The accused was charged under the animal welfare act, with the RSPCA alleging the cat was confined in a manner that caused unnecessary harm.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.

The accused will appear in Perth Magistrates Court on January 24.