GOOD Samaritans have condemned a “horrendous” act after they rescued a kitten found weighed down by a circular saw in the River Torrens.

The six-month-old black kitten was rushed to the emergency vet on Friday night and will be taken into the care of RSPCA on Saturday.

Megan Eastaughffe, 41, of Hendon, first heard a meow “like a scream” when she was feeding her horse near Warramunga St, Fulham, at 8.15pm on Friday before spotting the distressed kitten in the water.

“I tried to coax her to swim to me, at first she was trying to,” she said.

“Then I changed my angle ... and saw something was tied to her waist.”

media_camera Six-month-old Splash was found weighed down by an electric saw in the River Torrens at Fulham. Picture: Supplied media_camera The circular saw found tied to the kitten’s waist in the River Torrens. Picture: Supplied

Her friend Jessica Searle, 22, of Fulham, came to help and waded into the one-metre-deep water to grab the feline.

That’s when the women realised their four-legged friend was weighed down by a circular saw and its electric cord was tied to the kitten’s waist.

“It was just horrendous, I was half sobbing, that was so overwhelming,” Ms Eastaughffe said.

“How could anyone do something like this?”

“If you don’t want an animal, why harm a beautiful, innocent creature which only has love to give when you have other options?”

media_camera Megan Eastaughffe found and helped rescue a six-month-old kitten found weighed down by an electric saw in the River Torrens, Fulham. Picture: Supplied

The “adorable” kitten they named Splash was extremely relieved and immediately warmed to her rescuers.

“She was shaking but so affectionate,” Ms Eastaughffe said.

“She was purring and rubbed up against us and giving us cuddles.”

They noticed the kitten’s coat, whiskers and eyelashes had been recently clipped.

The pair rushed to the Adelaide Animal Emergency and Referral Centre on Anzac Hwy not knowing how long the kitten has been in the water.

Fortunately, the kitten was healthy but without any identification or microchip, the owner could not be tracked down.

“If anyone has seen anything they should report it ebcause we don’t want a sick individual around our horses,” Ms Eastaughffe said.

media_camera Six-month-old Splash will be taken into RSPCA’s care. Picture: Supplied

RSPCA South Australia Inspector Verity Otto confirmed the organisation was investigating the incident.

“RSPCA South Australia is treating this as a deliberate act of cruelty and is appalled by the incident,” she said.

“Under the Animal Welfare Act, anyone found guilty of aggravated animal ill-treatment could face up to four years in gaol or a $50,000 fine.

“Luckily the cat was pulled from the Torrens and taken to a vet by the kind people who found her and now she will remain in our care for the time being as our investigation continues.”

Ms Otto asked anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area on Friday evening or has any information about the incident to call the RSPCA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 477 722.