EFFORTS to save the life of a six-week-old kitten were unsuccessful after the little cat was dumped into a Bradford lake trapped inside a sellotaped box.

Katie Lloyd, care coordinator at Bradford Cat Watch Rescue and Sanctuary, and firefighters at Bradford Fire Station were called to reports of a cat in distress near the lake at Peel Park.

They responded and discovered what Ms Lloyd described as one of the "worst rescue situations" in the 15-year history of the cat sanctuary.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

In a message, she posted on the Facebook page of Bradford Cat Watch Rescue and Sanctuary said: "We have just been involved in possibly the worst rescue situation in the history of Bradford Cat Watch Rescue and Sanctuary.

"Around 8.30pm (on Saturday) we received a call of reports of a cat crying around the lake of a park.

"Within five minutes we rushed and we also heard the cries of a cat / kitten in distress.

"We alerted the emergency services and our friends at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service were with us within minutes.

"The crew used specialist equipment to locate and retrieve the cat.

"Sadly the cat turned out to be a kitten around only six weeks old who had been thrown into the lake sellotaped in a box in a heavy-duty bag.

"Throughout the rescue, we called this little kitten Moses.

"Despite all our efforts, Moses did not survive.

"We are devastated and cannot comprehend how anyone could be so cruel.

"Thank you to everyone at West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for trying your absolute best to help little Moses."

Speaking yesterday, Ms Lloyd added: "After yesterday's terrible rescue experience as we unsuccessfully attempted to recucitate little Moses after fire service retrived him out of the lake, we were not at all prepared for the events this tea.

"We received a call from a parent of a little boy who had found a kitten at the side of the same lake soaking wet and bleeding.

"The kitten we have named Nemo is around six to eight weeks old, was blue around the mouth, lips and ears,  wet through, hypothermic, bleeding and in shock.

"We provided emergency  care, oxygen and rushed him to Abbey House Veterinary Hospital where he has been admitted for x-rays, scans, antibiotics, fluids and assessment of puncture wounds, likely caused by another animal.

"Nemo's prognosis is extremely guarded, we are expecting the worst outcome but hoping for the best.

"It is highly likely little Nemo has suffered terrible injuries including a pneumothorax and serious infection.

"The next 24 hours are critical for Nemo."

West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (WYFRS) has now provided a comment and described it as a "distressing case of unimaginable cruelty", while a councillor said the incident was "heartbreaking".