Among the waste was a heavy, tightly knotted plastic bag, and to everyone's horror, it was moving.
The workers soon uncovered three bags in total. Inside the first was a white cat, wrapped in netting but still alive. The other two bags contained the bodies of two dogs.
Macabre discovery on collection route
It remains unclear whether the animals were already dead when discarded or died after being thrown away.
Kryvyi Rih, one of Ukraine’s largest cities and heavily impacted by the ongoing conflict, has endured many hardships.
But even in a war-torn region, the cruelty of this discovery shocked the community.
Animal welfare group steps in
The bin collectors quickly alerted the local animal protection group Bim, whose volunteers rushed to the scene. The surviving cat, now named Lucky, was taken to a vet for examination, treatment, and vaccinations.
Named Lucky, the cat is currently recovering at a shelter and will be rehomed once fully healthy. The identity of those responsible for the act remains unknown, and ongoing instability in the region is hampering the investigation.
While the discovery horrified many, Lucky’s survival has become a symbol of resilience. Animal welfare volunteers and frontline workers continue to show compassion, even in the midst of a crisis.
