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A number of local people used social media to express their absolute disgust after six kittens were dumped and left to drown in the Riverview Estate lake on Sunday.

A resident witnessed a car pull up and drop a white bag into the lake.

The resident, thinking someone was tampering with her yabby pots, went to investigate and found a pillow case floating in the man made lake.

She fished the case out and found six kittens inside.

The Pastoral Times was told the kittens appeared to be newborn, and two were already dead when recovered from the water.

The resident took the surviving kittens home and, aiming to assist in their survival, used a reptile heating mat to help keep them warm.

Taking to Facebook to share her disgust at her friend’s discovery, Rhiannon Beckwith offered to help where she could.

But before Rhiannon could pick up the struggling kittens, the remaining four also died.

‘‘I got in touch and said I would try and find someone to care for the kittens,’’ Rhiannon said.

‘‘My cats recently had kittens and are still feeding, but with eight kittens at home already I didn’t know how I would go.

‘‘I called all my animal lover friends and found someone who could take them, and I was going to look after them until he could take over.

‘‘I went and bought bottles and formula but the kittens did not survive. We think they may have had too much water in their lungs already.’’

Rhiannon said there was an ‘‘uproar’’ on social media site Facebook when word of the dumping got out.

Riverview estate resident Simone Tonkin said she was shocked by the incident.

‘‘I picked up the newsfeed on Facebook and was surprised anyone could do that,’’ she said.

‘‘Our kids play in that area. You hear of people drowning kittens in bags, but never in such a public place.’’

Deniliquin Council acting ranger Trevor Briggs said there were options available for owners of unwanted kittens, saying they do not have to resort to killing the animals.

‘‘They can be relinquished to the pound and we will initially try to find them a home’’ he said.

‘‘If that fails, we can do something more humane.

‘‘People can ring the ranger and we can come and pick them up. It’s safer, quicker and a lot better for the kittens.’’

The Deniliquin Council ranger can be contacted by calling 0408819798 or 58983000.

The matter has been reported to Deniliquin Police, who say severe penalties apply to the mistreatment of animals.

They are investigating the incident.