An animal lover is outraged at a graphic listing on eBay that appears to show a mummified cat for sale in the UK.
The macabre advert from a trader in Coventry, in the West Midlands, offered the item at a starting price of £650.
The dead cat appeared to have been used for superstitious rituals.
It included several disturbing pictures apparently showing the corpse of the animal, said to have been used to ward off harm at a 16th Century cottage, reports Coventry Live.
Glenn Spiteri complained to eBay about the advert, which was still online a day later.
Mr Spiteri, a retired photojournalist from Lothian, said the ad was “disgusting and evil” and expressed surprise that it hadn’t been removed.
The listing has since been taken down after Coventry Live contacted the online marketplace about his concerns.
In the advert, the trader stated that the “Real Mummified Witches Cat” was in a “fantastic condition still bearing its teeth and some of its hair” (sic).
The description read: “Said to be recovered from a 16th century cottage renovation in Wales.
“Mummified cats rats and birds being placed in cavities in buildings was a practice used for hundreds of years to ward of witches and evil spirits.”
The trader claimed to be “relaying the information I was given upon purchasing this item some time ago”.
The prospective seller had a 99.5% positive feedback rating on the site.
A cursory search earlier this week found the online marketplace had several further listings for mummified cats, rats and other animals, which were advertised as historical artefacts.
Some had been posted by taxidermy enthusiasts, while others were said by traders to have been naturally preserved.
The trading website has removed the advert, which was in violation of its animal products policy.
A spokesman said: "These items are banned from eBay’s platform. The listing has been removed and we are taking enforcement action against the seller."
