RSPCA appeal after tortured kitten found with multiple burns and head injury

A kitten believed to have been tortured over a period of time after he was found with various burns across his body and a head injury is now in the care of the RSPCA.

 

The eight months-old male kitten was spotted wandering around a building site in the Failsworth area of Greater Manchester. After a couple of days of trying, workmen managed to safely capture the injured cat and took him to the Bury, Oldham and district branch of the RSPCA on Tuesday, October 11.

 

The black feline had an obvious injury to his face and eye and burns on his body so was taken by RSPCA inspector Jess Pierce to the charity's Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for veterinary treatment.

 

Staff at the hospital shaved some of the kitten's fur to assess the burns and treat them - which was when the full extent of the injuries were revealed.

 

A vet said the burns were of differing ages so believes the cat, now nicknamed Binx from the film Hocus Pocus, had been abused on a number of occasions over a period of time.

 

The head injury also appears to be non-accidental and inspector Pierce is now investigating to try and trace the person responsible.

 

She said: “When I took Binx to the hospital I could see small white lines on his fur where there were some burns across his body - but when he was shaved the true horror of these injuries was revealed.

 

“Veterinary staff said the scalding burns are all of different ages as if he has systematically being tortured over a period of time - perhaps with having hot water poured on him. 

 

“The injury to his head appears to be consistent with him being struck by something and has caused a swollen eye.

 

“I don’t know how he ended up on the building site - maybe he ran away from whoever was causing these awful injuries. It was lucky he was found and I am grateful to the workmen who brought him into our care.

 

“Binx seems to have endured a lot of pain at such a young age but in spite of that he is a super-friendly and loving cat. He is doing well in our care and will be looked after by the Bury, Oldham and District Branch until they feel he is ready to be rehomed.

 

“In the meantime, I am keen to trace the callous person responsible for inflicting such horrific and painful injuries on this poor kitten. Binx was distinctive when he was rescued as he was a black cat with fine white lines where the scalds were underneath. 

 

“I am hoping someone may know who owned such a cat in the local area. Anyone with information should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 1234 999.”

 

Lindsey Lucisano, receptionist at the branch, added: “Binx is so loving - after all he has been through, he has every right to be nasty but he isn’t at all.

 

“We will continue to care for him, and he will need regular veterinary checks on his burns and eye. Once he has fully recovered, we will put him up for rehoming and give him the life he deserves.”

 

The branch relies entirely on public donations to help care for pets such as Binx and would appeal for anyone who can help them can either donate to the branch or go to their wish list. 

 

They have a number of kittens currently in their care and are also appealing for any donations of Whisker’s kitten food.

 

This month is the RSPCA annual Adoptober rehoming month - a month-long campaign promoting adoption - at a time when new figures show that animal intake has increased but rehoming has slowed.

 

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.