RSPCA launches probe after two cats ‘deliberately burned’ from scalding liquid in Corrigin, WA

Two cats have been “deliberately burned” with what animal welfare officers say is scalding liquid, prompting a cruelty investigation. Warning: Graphic

The RSPCA is probing the horrific “deliberate” burning of two cats using scalding liquid in WA.

WARNING: CONFRONTING IMAGES

Two Wheatbelt cats have been deliberately burned and left to die following a concerning spate of cat cruelty in the area.

RSPCA WA is seeking information after two cats were discovered with severe burns, likely as a result of being scalded with boiling liquid, in the town of Corrigin.

RSPCA officers treated one cat, Puff, for extensive injuries across most of her back and sides. Picture: Supplied

The cat had been missing for a week before being taken to a vet in Perth. Picture: Supplied

A woman called RSPCA WA earlier this week after her grey tabby, Puff, had received extensive injuries across most of her back and sides.

Puff is understood to have been recently found, having been missing for a week, when she was transported over 200 kilometres to Perth to treat her injuries.

The RSPCA said the incidents happened within two months of each other in the Wheatbelt town of Corrigin. Picture: Andy Tyndall.

Only two months prior, a cat known to stray around the town was found with similar injuries, with burns stretching from his neck down to the base of his tail.

The cat was found and later taken in by the Perth Rescue Angels after he was found with his wounds untreated and infected with maggots.

Both cats are understood to be in recovery.

Experienced RSPCA WA inspector manager Kylie Green labelled the injuries as “horrific”, saying vets concluded the cats were likely burned using boiling water.

“The burns on the two Corrigin cats were horrific, they would have been in agony,” Ms Green said.

“They’ve been thoroughly examined by vets whose conclusion is boiling water or oil caused the burns.

“With one cat, that could be an accident. With two, I am deeply concerned and ask for anyone with information to come forward,” she added.

RSPCA WA inspector manager Kylie Green is concerned with the rise in cat cruelty cases and was left horrified by the injuries two cats sustained in the town of Corrigin. Photo: Supplied.

Ms Green said she was concerned with the increasing number of cat cruelty cases over the past couple of months.

“I have been an RSPCA inspector for 11 years and have seen a lot of things but this recent spate of what feels like escalating cat cruelty is concerning,” she said.

Prior to the burn incidents, a beloved family cat, Tiger Tim, was reportedly tied to a brick and thrown into a Bayswater river to drown back in August.

A cat was tragically shot twice and left for dead in the Huntingdale in October, while a 38-year-old man faces court in December following a charge of cat cruelty in Piara Waters.

Anyone with information about how either or both cats were injured is asked to contact the RSPCA WA 24-hour Cruelty Hotline on 1300 278 358 or online at rspcawa.org.au.