The body of a bloodied cat was found in a drain in Yishun yesterday morning, said a local cat interest group.

Yishun 326 Tabby cat, which posted a photo of the animal on Facebook, said that it is appealing for information and witnesses.

It is not known if the latest incident is linked to the spate of cat abuse cases reported in the neighbourhood since September last year.

The grey cat, found in a drain near Block 361 Yishun Ring Road, is the 19th to be found dead in the area.

Earlier yesterday, the 40-year-old man suspected of killing a cat in Yishun last October was back in court.

Lee Wai Leong, who faces a single count of animal cruelty, was granted bail of $10,000.

His lawyer, Mr Josephus Tan, who is representing him pro bono, had earlier said that Lee's family was hoping he would be able to spend Chinese New Year at home.

On Dec 29 last year, Lee was charged with throwing an adult male Mackerel Tabby domestic shorthair cat over the parapet of the 13th floor of Block 115B Yishun Ring Road.

He was subsequently remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for psychiatric assessment.

Lee is the first person to be hauled to court under the new Animals and Birds Act, which was amended in 2014 to toughen penalties for animal cruelty.

Yesterday, before he left the State Courts accompanied by family members and friends, Lee wore a mask and a cap, and also changed out of a red T-shirt to a dark blue one.

His case is due to be mentioned in court on Feb 15. If convicted, he can be jailed for up to 18 months, fined up to $15,000, or both. For second and subsequent offences, the maximum penalty is $30,000 or jail of up to three years, or both.