A FORMER vet has been accused of causing a cat unnecessary suffering after forcing a tube down its throat causing the animal to choke and gasp for breath.

Lawrence Swift, 58, is said to have mistreated the animal, called Blue, at the St Francis Clinic in Canterbury Road, Herne Bay.

He denies the charge and also one of cruelly treating the animal by terrifying it during the procedure.

The RSPCA brought the prosecution after the cat, belonging to Joan Williams from Birchington, had to be put down.

It claims the treatment was medically unnecessary and clinically inappropriate.

The case continues at Canterbury magistrates court on Monday.