Police have arrested four women on suspicion of animal cruelty after a dead cat was found hanging from a tree at a pet park in North Point on Saturday.

One of the suspects – a 69-year-old woman – is said to be the cat’s owner. Three foreign domestic workers aged between 24 and 33 were also arrested.

Assistant Eastern district commander Yeung Wan-ming said the four were arrested on Monday night after officers pored through a large quantity of CCTV footage taken in the area.

The carcass of the cat – which had been found with a blue nylon rope around its neck at the North Point Promenade Pet Garden – has been handed over to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, she said.

The officer said an initial examination of the cat did not find any obvious injuries.

"As for the cat's state before it was hung from the tree, its health condition, and the exact cause of death, they're still awaiting further investigation by the police, as well as an autopsy, and examination by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department," Yeung said.

Cruelty to animals is punishable by up to three years in prison and a HK$200,000 fine.