A CAT was dumped in a bag and left to die in woodland after it is thought it was hit by a car.

Park rangers and the RSPCA are investigating after the animal was discovered in Bourne Valley Wood in Colchester.

Inspectors believe it was hit by a car before being bundled into the bag and dumped.

Childminder Kim Barnetson was in the wood, off Mersea Road, playing pooh sticks with five children when one of them noticed the bag by the stream.

Before Mrs Barnetson could stop them, the boy opened the bag and revealed a dead cat was inside.

The children were immediately taken away before she had a look to confirm what was in it.

Mrs Barnetson, of New Town, said: “I said ‘don’t open it’ but was too late.

“He said it was a dead cat and I had a quick peep to make sure. It was horrible.

“It actually looked to me like maybe its throat had been cut. There was a lot of blood.”

Mrs Barnetson was already on the phone to the park rangers at the time of the discovery after finding a smouldering fire, which are not allowed at the site.

She reported the bag to them immediately and rangers said they would pick it up and investigate.

Essex Police were also told about the incident and an officer went down to try and find it.

Mrs Barnetson said: “I just can’t imagine anyone doing this or wanting to do it.

“We go down there maybe three times a month and I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

Colchester Council park rangers, which monitor the site, now have possession of the animal.

A spokesman said they would be keeping it for a month in case its owners can be found. If they are not then it will be “respectfully disposed of”.

The cat, which is black with white patches, had no collar or micro chip.