Currently fuming:
An animal welfare charity has warned that cats are being used as bait by the organisers of illegal dog fights.
The Scottish SPCA said they had found video footage of Staffordshire Bull Terriers being turned on domestic cats.
Investigators said the involvement of domestic animals was a "sickening new twist" in the long-standing problem of dog fighting rings.
However, they said it was often difficult to gather enough evidence to prosecute those responsible.
The charity said cat remains had been found at the scene of a number of organised dog fights. Video of the attacks is often recorded on mobile phones before being circulated among dog owners.
They believe the cats are used to rile up fighting dogs, which are then allowed to tear the felines apart before often being turned on each other.
One undercover Scottish SPCA officer said a group of people involved in dog fighting had recently been caught searching the streets for cats.
He added: "Dog fighting has been a long-standing problem but the involvement of other domestic animals is a sickening new twist.
"Last month we had a case in Aberdeen where a group of men walked their three Staffordshire Terriers around the streets hunting for cats.
"When they found one, their dogs were set on it and the fight was recorded on mobile phones - it was horrific stuff."
Anyone found to be involved in dog fighting, or possessing video of fights, can be charged under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) Act 2006.
But the Scottish SPCA investigator said: "People are scared to say where footage came from because the owners generally aren't the most friendly of people.
"Therefore the vast majority of cases still end up not even making the courts.
"We do offer an anonymous service where anyone can give us information without giving any details about themselves."
He added that there was also now a reward of £1000 on offer for any information which leads to a conviction, which the charity hopes will lead to more arrests.
Sarah Ross, head of Cupar Animal Trust Shelters (CATS), said the number of missing cats in Fife had increased in recent months.
She said: "Generally one or two cats go missing each month. However when suddenly eight go missing over a 10-week period, it makes you think they are being stolen to order."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6928351.stm