Authorities search for a sicko who set ‘horrific’ pet trap that resulted in cat’s leg being amputated
A pet cat’s leg was amputated after it got caught in an illegal steel jaw trap set in Melbourne’s outer east. Now authorities are hunting the person responsible.
Victoria
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Authorities are looking for the person who set a “cruel” and “horrific” steel trap that resulted in a pet cat’s leg being amputated.
Archie the cat was found caught in the illegal steel jaw trap in Mooroolbark in Melbourne’s outer east on September 27.
He survived but was so badly injured the vet had to amputate his broken leg.
The RSPCA said it was unclear how many days Archie had been trapped or where the trap was initially set.
It’s thought Archie had dragged the trap with him to where he was eventually found in a fishpond in the front yard of a house in Partridge Way.
His owner, who asked not to be named, said she had been looking for Archie for a week before making the grim discovery.
She said she and her family were relieved to have him home but were “disgusted” someone would set such a trap.
“I feel absolutely sick that someone would do that,” she said.
“There’s some sicko out there. I know not everyone loves cats and I know some people get annoyed that cats are in their yard. But call the council, you don’t have to kill or torture it.”
She said it was comparable to attempted murder or manslaughter.
“As far as I’m concerned this is no different to trying to kill a human being. You start to think what if it was one of my kids who stepped on the trap, or an elderly person. There needs to be consequences for this.”
She said she was extremely grateful for the “amazing” response of the people who found Archie in their yard and freed him from the trap, which she said probably saved his life.
RSPCA Victoria inspector Kate Davies said Archie would have suffered serious pain and severe mental distress.
“This was an horrific act of animal cruelty and our thanks go to the person who found the animal and reacted quickly to prevent the cat from further suffering,” she said.
She said the RSPCA was seeking information from the public to identify those responsible.
Serrated steel jaw traps are illegal and it is illegal to set any leghold trap for the purpose of trapping domestic animals.
Penalties can include two years’ prison and fines of up to $82,610.00.
Information can be reported to www.rspcavic.org/report or by calling 9224 2222.
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