TWO cats believed to have been used for dog-baiting have been found in recent days in the environs of St Mary’s Health Campus in Cork city.

One of the cats was found concealed in a black plastic bag.

The other, which was found with no head, was lying on an area of grass near the campus on Baker’s Rd in Gurranabraher.

Both cats appear to have been mauled by other animals.

Lindsay Kelly, of the Munster Lost and Found Pet Helpline, is advising people “to bring their beloved cats in before dusk”, to prevent other cats from meeting the same fate.

The woman who found one of the cats in recent days said it was horrendous as the animal was badly injured.

Last month, The Echo revealed that three rottweiler dogs were set on a cat in the Kilnap Avenue area.

Cork Animal Care Society also appealed to people last month to lock up their cats because of baiting in parts of the city.

Baiting is being carried out as a sport in itself and also to prepare dogs for hunting. The practice is illegal under animal welfare legislation.

Dogs including terriers and lurchers are being used for the activity, mainly carried out by teenagers and young men.

Last year, animal welfare groups urged caution to people who were selling or giving away cats, because people involved in the baiting were looking to adopt or buy cats solely for the purpose of baiting.

In one case in Cork City last year, a small dog was used as bait for older dogs.