Woman who abused cat on CCTV in UK fined

45-year-old Mary Bale, the woman who was caught on camera trapping a neighbor’s pet cat Lola in a “wheelie bin,” has been fined for the actions that garnered her international scorn after the clip went viral.

Bale was reportedly “tearful” as a judge acknowledged the widespread anger directed at Bale for her strange, cruel actions. The court acknowledged Bale’s stressful circumstances at the time- her father was dying- but levied a $395 fine against the woman for abusing the animal:

Handing down the fine, she said: “The media interest in this case has resulted in you being vilified in some quarters and I have taken that into account.”

Judge Goulborn, who was told Bale’s elderly father was gravely ill at the time, added: “I accept that you were in a stressful situation at the time, but that’s no excuse for what you did.”

In addition to the fine of £250, Bale was also ordered to pay a £15 “victim surcharge” and court costs of £1,171. Of her actions, at the time, Bale explained “it’s only a cat.”