A GRUESOME prank has led to police warning people to stay out of unstable buildings in a town centre.

Rumours circulated on social media after the remains of a cat were found in Liskeard’s Cattle Market.

Initially it was believed that the cat had been killed deliberately by being set alight. It had been discovered, badly burned, after having been doused in gloss paint and set on fire.

A local scrap merchant and haulage operator, Chris Gillbard, was the first to find the cat. He was so enraged and shocked by what he believed to have happened, he initially said he would put up a reward for anyone with details which would lead to the perpetrator.

But the woman who first posted online about the incident came back to update, after she was contacted privately by someone with more information.

’It would appear the cat was found dead by a group of kids and then they played with it and finally burnt it,’ she said.

’Police have been informed and I will contact the RSPCA.’

She believes that if the cat can be identified by a microchip then the students should be involved in some restorative justice – and she says that she’ll be contacting the school.

’ Kids can be stupid and would not have considered it was someone’s pet. They should have, though. Perhaps peer pressure stopped them.’

Chris Gillbard agrees, and said: ’It’s not a nice thing to do – this was somebody’s pet. It’s still a bit heartless.’

The incident has led to Police and Cornwall Council, who own the site, putting out a warning.

’Police are aware that there have been images circulating on social media alleging an incident of animal cruelty,’ said Inspector Rupert Engley.

’The unidentifiable remains of an animal were located within the building. Officers attended and it was clear that the animal has been deceased for a significant period of time. There is nothing to suggest the animal has been deliberately killed by any means and there is no reason to believe otherwise.

’However Cornwall Council is very concerned that the public have been accessing this dangerous site and have warned about the dangers of entering without permission. The buildings are fragile and not stable and the public must stay out of the area.

’Additional security measures are being implemented and we are asking that if the public see anyone entering the site to please contact 0300 1234 100 so that we can take appropriate action.

’More details about the future of the Cattle Market will be released soon but we are anxious that the public stay out of the various buildings for their own safety.’