Mary Bale fined for cruelty

Mary Bale, the woman known worldwide for dumping Lola the four year old cat into a wheelie bin has been fined £250 after admitting a cruelty offence. In addition to the fine Bale was ordered to pay costs of £1,171 and banned from keeping or owning animals for the next five years.

District judge Caroline Goulborn said the potential for harm to the cat had been "substantial" but the reality was she had not been hurt.

"The media interest in this case has resulted in you being vilified in some quarters and I have taken that into account," she said. Coventry Magistrates Court also heard that Bale's elderly father had been gravely ill at the time and that he had since died.

"I accept you were in a stressful situation at the time, but that's no excuse for what you did," Judge Goulborn added.

Bale still claims she does not know why she decided to drop the cat in the bin and gives no reason. She says it is completely out of character of her and she acted without thought.

The fine and the charges are expected to act as a deterrent to others.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-11573883