During the summer of 2025, the animal welfare organisation Animal Rescue Tanpopo discovered a cat, later named Miracle, in an empty flat.
When they arrived at the property, the rescuers found the floor littered with alcohol cans, rubbish, and leftover food.
A sweltering heat
Rescuer Chiaki Honda initially thought the cat was dead when she was discovered next to the toilet. However, after realising the cat had simply passed out, the team immediately rushed her to a veterinary clinic. There, thanks to the dedicated care of the staff, Miracle made a full recovery.
While Miracle was trapped inside without any cat food or water, temperatures soared to over 40 degrees Celsius. The cat survived by drinking water from the toilet and eating leftover food scraps. According to the vets, Miracle was extremely aggressive at first, which suggests she had been neglected by her owners before being left to die.
Owner tracked down and arrested
An investigation was launched, which eventually paid off. On 3rd February, the police arrested Miracle's former owner, a 27-year-old woman. The accused admitted to leaving Miracle behind in the rented flat, which she had fled without informing the landlord.
Under Japanese animal cruelty laws, anyone caught neglecting or abandoning a pet faces a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine of one million yen, which is over £5,100.
