Senior Sergeant Bill Alford said the incident occurred overnight on April 2 and 3 in Newington Road.

The incident saw a seven year old domestic family cat caught in a rabbit trap.

"The cat had one leg caught in the trap and was so badly injured, that it had to be put down," S/S Alford said.

"Unfortunately, the cat was found by the children of the victim the next morning and it caused them all great distress.

"We know that the rabbit trap was set nearby because we have a witness who has come forward and said she was out walking and saw the cat in the front yard of the premises dragging a rabbit trap behind it.

"This person took the cat out of the rabbit trap and the cat was subsequently found by the owners.

"We can't say at this stage where the rabbit trap was set specifically."

S/S Alford said the incident had disturbed himself, other police members, the family and also members of the community.

He said police were eager to find out who had actually laid the trap.

"We would really like to know who set the rabbit trap and who is responsible for this act.

"Of course we all know that cats wander at night sometimes, so we don't really know where the cat was and how it came to be caught in this rabbit trap.

"We all know how people like to catch rabbits, eat them or sell them, but the use of rabbit traps in this day and age is frowned upon for that purpose.

"In this instance, a domestic cat was caught in the rabbit trap. It caused the family great distress and the cat had to be put down as a result of its injuries.

"We would really like to find who is responsible for that incident."

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Stawell Police on 5358 8222 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.