The SPCA is investigating how a kitten came to be thrown from a car in New Brighton, in Christchurch, this week.
The kitten was taped inside a shoebox and tossed from the front passenger window of a silver Holden car at about 8.30pm on Wednesday.
A witness told the SPCA that there were at least two people in the car, which was driving along New Brighton Road, when the incident happened.
The kitten was found injured and distressed but is expected to make a full recovery.
The SPCA is asking anyone with information to contact its Christchurch centre.