A woman who was subjected to a torrent of online abuse after featuring in a notorious viral video, in which she was filmed dumping a cat into a wheelie bin, has reportedly “never got over her notoriety” following the shocking incident. Mary Bale was a 45-year-old single bank worker when CCTV footage captured her strolling down a street before abruptly stopping to stroke a nearby cat. She then glanced around furtively, before snatching the defenceless animal by the scruff of its neck and callously dropping
it into a wheelie bin. The 2010 incident sparked outrage across the internet and irrevocably altered Ms Bale’s life. The cat, Lola, appeared largely untroubled by the ordeal and went on to live a contented life until the age of 16, passing away around five years ago. Still notorious worldwide as the ‘Cat Bin Lady’, Ms Bale is now reportedly a recluse in a suburban pocket of Coventry, where she continues to reside to this day. Remarkably, some of her neighbours are apparently oblivious to
the fact they live alongside a woman who was once the target of a fierce internet backlash. One neighbour, speaking anonymously to the Daily Mail, revealed they had known Ms Bale throughout the years following the incident, reports the Mirror . “She was vilified by people across the world,” they said. “Most people have long forgotten it but not everyone and she doesn’t feel forgiven.” The source revealed that Ms Bale quit her job and “never reestablished a proper career”. They added: “She leads a
very, very quiet life now and rarely speaks to anyone. I think she remains deeply embarrassed and thinks that’s all she will ever be known for.” A neighbour named Diana said the incident had “plagued” Ms Bale and she had “never been able to live down the shame”. Diana, who is a pet owner herself, said she felt sympathy for Ms Bale and noted that “at times she struggles”. Another neighbour also made reference to Ms Bale’s father passing away around the time of the
controversy. They said: “Obviously it was a weird thing for her to do but when learned that her father was dying at the time – he passed just a few months later – it was clear she was not in a good place at the time she did it. Those of us who know about her are broadly sympathetic.” At the time, Ms Bale was fined £250 at Coventry Magistrates’ Court in 2021. She was ordered to pay the RSPCA’s costs of £1,171 after pleading
guilty to causing unnecessary suffering. Ms Bale maintained she did “not deserve to be hated” for her actions. She said: “I really don’t see what everyone is getting so excited about. It’s just a cat.” She added: “I was walking home from work and saw this cat wander out in front of me. I was playing with it, stroking it and listening to it purr as it stood on a garden wall. It was very friendly. “I don’t know what came over me, but I
suddenly thought it would be funny to put it in the wheelie bin, which was right beside me. I did it as a joke because I thought it would be funny. I never thought it would be trapped. I expected it to wriggle out of the bin.” She admitted she “shouldn’t have done it” but that it was “just a cat at the end of the day” and she didn’t deserve hatred from people from all around the world. She suggested her actions were “a
split second of madness”. Public outrage intensified, with a Facebook group even being set up calling for her death, while some went as far as to say she was “worse than Hitler”. Ms Bale subsequently stated she was “profoundly sorry” for her actions. “I want to take this opportunity to apologise profusely for the upset and distress that my actions have caused,” she said. “I cannot explain why I did this, it is completely out of character and I certainly did not intend to cause
any distress to Lola or her owners. “It was a split second of misjudgement that has got completely out of control. “I wish to reiterate that I am profoundly sorry for my actions and wish to resolve this matter to everyone’s satisfaction as soon as possible.” During the court proceedings, defence solicitor David Murray told District Judge Caroline Goulborn that Ms Bale had committed the “impulsive and irrational” act while her father, who passed away between the incident and the court case, was gravely ill.
Following the torrent of abuse and threats directed at her, Ms Bale ultimately withdrew into a far more private life. Lola’s owners, Darryl and Stephanie, are both understood to still live nearby and are believed to have forgiven Ms Bale, who resided just a few streets away. It is understood that Ms Bale has made no attempt to obtain any pet since the incident took place. She was handed a five-year ban on keeping or owning animals, in addition to the fine she was issued.
Want to see more of the stories you love from the Irish Mirror? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives. To add Irish Mirror as a preferred source, simply click here .
Mary Bale, Cat Bin Lady, Lola, Coventry, wheelie bin, RSPCA, Coventry Magistrates' Court, animal cruelty