An animal lover was accused of cruelty by the RSPCA because the cat she adopted needed pet medication for a skin condition it has.
Allison Evans adopted five-year-old Tiny from the charity unaware that it had a flea allergy. The court was told how Tiny was at risk of being destroyed.
Ms Evans was told by the RSPCA that the animal had no medical problems and she took the cat back to the charity for help with the problem.
She said: "I have always supported the RSPCA but won't now.
"I was completely stunned to have charges brought against me, I am in shock. The last thing I wanted to do was take her back to the cattery - I didn't want her put down."
Magistrates threw out the case and Ms Evans was cleared of animal cruelty.
According to the Daily Mail, even Philip Clamp, chairman of the north Devon branch of the RSPCA, said the case was unjust and should never have been made into a case.
"She was let down by us ... She asked for help and we failed her," he is quoted as saying.
