FEARS have been raised that cats are being used in illegal blood sports after an animal was found with its legs and tail bound together.

The dead cat was found on the Hart to Haswell cycle route, near Hesleden, County Durham, last Wednesday. Its legs and tail had been bound together with tape and secured with twine.

The animal, that was not microchipped, had no other obvious injuries and was in a reasonable condition.

RSPCA inspector Ian Jackson, who is investigating the case, said: "It would be very unusual for someone to bind up a dead cat, so it is likely this animal was alive when its legs and tail were tied together.

"I can't imagine why anyone would want to do this, unless there was some ulterior motive," he said.

"I've heard stories about cats being baited before, either for fun or to sharpen up dogs for badger baiting.

"Dogs used for badgers and foxes are usually terriers, and they can be trained by being set on other dogs or cats to sharpen them up."

Mr Jackson said that as blood sports were held in secret, he feared that cats throughout the area could be being abused.

"It's just a worry that these sort of things are going on," he said.

"You would think that in a modern, civilised world, these sort of things wouldn't happen, but they do."

Anyone with information about the cat is asked to contact the RSPCA on 08705 555999.