Injuries to cats deliberate

Two cats have been taken to the Wairarapa SPCA this week after suffering cruel and deliberate injuries.

A 3-month-old tabby, Survivor, was found in a garden shed in Upper Manaia Rd with its ears cut off on and was taken by the person who found it to the SPCA on Monday.

SPCA manager Val Ball said that while the injury is not causing Survivor any pain it was obviously a deliberate act. "It was definitely a cut, probably about a week old," she said.

Mrs Ball said the SPCA had seen this type of injury before - this is about the third cat with its ears cut in the past year.

A second cat, Stu, was taken to the Animal Hospital after being found on Oxford St on Wednesday.

The 4-month old tabby and white cat was found to have been victim of an attempted DIY neutering, with a cut across its testicles.

Mrs Ball said she suspects the cat is someone's pet, and that the owner might have been motivated to attempt a neuter by the price of desexing cats - about $75.

Wairarapa SPCA is keen to hear from anyone with more information. People interested in re-homing the cats can also contact it on (06) 377 1912.

Animal cruelty

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  Under the Animal Welfare Act, a person who wilfully harms an animal can be sentenced to a prison term of up to 12 months, and a fine of up to $50,000.
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  The Wairarapa SPCA branch investigates about 20 cases of animal cruelty each month. Nationally, and in the Wairarapa, the complaints range from neglect, abandonment and wilful cruelty to animals.
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  Two Wairarapa men were listed on the RNZSPCA's List of Shame 2011 - both were witnessed kicking and beating their dogs. One man was jailed for four months and the other given 80 hours' community service.