I don't know if I am.

[Cathycomehome]

I deregistered from the site but am back (mostly as a lurker from now on, I've learnt a lesson) but it's late and I don't know where else I could get answers.

I have two cats. One of them has been horrifically injured; the vet thinks he has been caught in a trap/snare.

He came in last night with his left front leg literally (sorry if you're sqeamish) hanging on by threads. My son heard his cries, found him in the kitchen and screamed (leg VERY alarming looking;it wasn't his fault). Cat went off and we couldn't find him despite extensive searches of garden.

This morning came back howling and crying. Leg obviously very seriously damaged indeed. AWFUL. We got him to out of hours vet this morning. The vet said it was the worst non fatal injury he'd ever seen. The cat has now had the leg amputated and is touch and go for survival - I have to ring up tomorrow at 8.30 for an update on condition. He also has secondary wounds on his chest which the vet thinks were caused by an animal attacking him whilst he was trapped.

I know two local farmers who are pretty open about setting traps. They say they have signs up so they're legal.

Are they? Because I want to report them to the RSPCA. The heart rending cries from my cat and his shock and trauma were horrible until the vet sedated him after a 35 minute car drive to vet this morning, not to mention putting the poor bastard in the box to go to vets.

Sorry so long.

I'm glad your cat is on the mend Cathy and it is not silly at all to be so upset about it.

I hope the RSPCA do something about it. I don't know anything about traps and snares but if they can do that to an animal there is no way they should be legal, even with signs.

It upsets me to think that this happened to your pet and it upsets me to think it could have (and very probably has) happened to a wild animal who has no home to go to where it would be taken for medical help.

That's how I feel too! Thankfully, my son has stopped feeling guilty as the cat has pulled through fine - I think it would've been harder to convince him he was not to blame if the outcome had been worse - but in all honesty, even if cat hadn't run away we wouldn't have been able to get him treated any quicker - 8 am was the quickest we could get hold of anyone.

I understand that farmers need to control vermin - but this kind of trap surely can't be the right way. Our cat was LUCKY and his injuries were so awful.

Cathy- If you're still there - How did it go with the RSPCA today?

I found out the answer btw .. Some traps/snares are legal, some like the self locking ones aren't.. Whoever lays the trap is supposed to check them every 'day', but this is abused by many i.e they check at 11.59 p.m then 2 minutes later at 00.01, and leave them until the following day.

If anyone is interested (but only for those with strong stomachs!)
www.antisnaring.org.uk/snares/illegally_set_snares

and the facts are - www.antisnaring.org.uk/snares/snare_laws

Oh cathy, I am so sorry to hear about your Pud. Your poor DS too! What a shock for a 10yo!

If it helps any, I'm over 4 times as old as him and I can bet that I'd have screamed, and most likely have thrown up and fainted. Have been known to decorate vets waiting rooms in the past!

I am so glad the furry family member has made it so far, sending all my best wishes to you all.

Hi - sorry to have left the thread - I am reliant on next door's computer at the mo, as ours is broken! I did report to RSPCA, just saying what vet had said and where we are and they said they would look into it. Our cat is doing REMARKABLY well - a bit clingy - wants to sit on laps the whole time! When he's not trying to get out!! Thanks everyone for support and advice.

Oh I was only thinking of you and puss today! so glad to hear he's on the mend... typical male eh? making a fuss and being clingy and needing laps!

Poor wee thing, he's earned all the laps there are!

Reading this with my heart in my mouth - your poor kitty! My soppy fat fluffball is stretched across my pregnant belly at the moment, DH thinks she's trying to hatch it

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and I bet she's loving the pampering.

Crikey o'reilly OP what an awful thing for your poor cat (and you humans!) to go through. Really horrific :(

Glad he's on the mend. I got quite choked up to think of him making his way home with that injury!

You so did the right thing to ring the RSPCA - just barbaric thing to do :(

Good to hear Pud is still doing well Cathy, please give him a cuddle from me

Also glad the RSPCA didn't dismiss your reporting, good on ya!