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Firework put in cat's ear

Tuesday, 11 November 2008

The injured cat

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Irish police are hunting for the sick hooligans who lit a firework and then put it in a cat's ear.

The cat had her ear and the side of her head blown off by the banger in the shockingly cruel attack in Arklow, Co Wicklow.

Incredibly, she survived.

Vets operated to save the mutilated animal last week after it was found near death behind a local pub.

Nobody knows exactly what happened, but it appears that somebody actually forced the explosive into the cat's ear before, most likely, standing back to watch.

The distressed pet, which vets believe is about four or five years old, was then left for dead where it was found on October 29, two days before Halloween.

It was found by pub customers, who initially thought the white-haired cat must have been hit by a car.

However, on closer inspection, it became obvious that there was something more sinister behind the disturbing injuries.

An emergency call was made to the Avondale Veterinary Hospital, where vet Mairead Berkely treated the cat for shock and monitored it overnight before she and colleague Tommy Heffernan could operate on the side of her head.

The complicated surgical procedure took almost three hours, during which the cat's broken jaw was wired, damaged tissue was removed from her ear and a surgical drain was attached.

The vets say the cat will survive and will recover to a certain extent, but is likely to be left deaf by the attack.

Manager of the Avondale Veterinary Hospital, Julie Doyle, said that it is the worst incident of animal cruelty she has seen in many years.

"She really was in a very bad state and the fact that it was an intentional act is just appalling.

"We appeal to the public to keep their pets indoors when bangers are likely to be set off.

"Those who carry out such cruel acts should take a look at the damage they cause and realise it is a very serious situation," she said.

The staff at Avondale Veterinary Hospital carried out the surgery for free.

They believe that the cat was a domestic pet because she was very friendly, despite its enormous distress.

They hope the owner, who is no doubt missing their pet, will come forward and take it home.

If that doesn't happen, they will try to find a permanent new home for the cat once she is well enough.

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22 Comments

What sick people there are in the world.
Thank goodness this poor cat was found by decent people in time to save her life.
It is very important that the culprits are found and severly punished, not least because acts of cruelty towards animals often precede cruelty towards children, as was true in the case of James Bulger and many others.

Posted by Falmai Bryant | 17.11.08, 16:12 GMT

Hey ex-pat who "reads the Telegraph every day" this did not happen in the North. This happened in Co Wicklow - in the south.

Posted by Pussy Lover | 12.11.08, 03:20 GMT

Shame Shame Shame - this evil person needs to be 'dobbed in' and brought to justice - a huge fine - hitting their pocket always hurts - the money should be donated to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - To the fantastic team who saved her life - God Bless You xx

Posted by Rita Davidson | 12.11.08, 03:16 GMT

I read the Telegraph every day, just when I think things cannot get worse in N.Ireland, I read something even more appalling the next day. What happened to this country? Decent people used to live there. Sad and pathetic.

Posted by Ex-pat. | 12.11.08, 01:01 GMT

Simply unbelievable that some ****** would think this a "clever" thing to do! There must be rehabilitation centres, borstals, or boot camps, where scum like this can be effectively dealt with. I'm amazed, but very happy, that the cat survived.

Posted by Beobachter | 11.11.08, 23:22 GMT

why would anybody do this sort of thing? These must be very sick people.

Posted by Mantooth | 11.11.08, 20:18 GMT

If this wee cat needs a home I'll take her.

Posted by Jane | 11.11.08, 19:33 GMT

Sick scum...Words fail me. :(

Posted by Karyn | 11.11.08, 18:03 GMT

Psychopaths!

Harming, killing, mamming of animals is a clinical symptom of psychopathology. Animals today, people tomorrow. Mark my words.

This is truly disgusting!

Posted by New Yorker | 11.11.08, 17:53 GMT

If caught they dont even deserve a proper hearing!

Posted by dwyer | 11.11.08, 17:13 GMT

obviously this cruel person (almost always male) was raised in a home filled with violence, abuse and conflict. Shame on you parents.

Posted by ellen | 11.11.08, 17:12 GMT

cat o 9 tails to the perpetrators

Posted by momo | 11.11.08, 17:07 GMT

I Hope they catch them!

Posted by dwyer | 11.11.08, 17:05 GMT

Cant believe they got away with this catastrophic crime!

Posted by dwyer | 11.11.08, 17:02 GMT

A firework in the ear is what these people need - only when they have an appreciation of the consequence of their actions will they think twice about doing it again.

Posted by Leb Anon | 11.11.08, 13:39 GMT

Sad sick people i hope they are caught and locked up but as mm says a slap on the wrist and they will do it again i hope the cat has a home to go to if not i would take it as i have 2 of my own and it would be well looked after

Posted by laura | 11.11.08, 13:32 GMT

How sick can a person be??...

I personally am not a big fan of cats but this is just taking it too the extreme.. I mean come on here its only a poor defenceless cat.

I just hope the scumbags that carried out this sickening act are caught and dealt with correctly.. And by correctly i mean with jail terms because its the only thing these Thugs deserve..

Posted by The Bhoy | 11.11.08, 13:27 GMT