Five newborn kittens were dumped and left for dead at a rubbish tip.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted after a member of the public came across the kittens in a bag at Lochhead Landfill Site, in Dunfermline, on July 28.
Sadly one of the felines had tragically passed away and another two siblings died shortly afterwards.
The surviving kittens were transported to the Scottish SPCA’s animal rescue and rehoming centre near Dundee, where they have been successfully bonded with an adult cat who has recently given birth.
Joanna McDaid, an animal rescue officer said: “This is a disgusting case of animal cruelty.
“The helpless kittens were only hours old and found with their umbilical cords still attached.
“They were cleaned up, checked by a vet and fed before being wrapped up warm.
“Abandoning an animal is a very serious offence, but to do so by callously dumping newborns like rubbish and leaving them to die is extremely cruel.
“We also have concerns for the mother cat as we do not know what has happened to her.
“I am urging anyone with any information to please come forward.”
Abandoning and causing an animal unnecessary suffering is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.