A NEIGHBOURHOOD has been left in shock after an animal torturer caused severe injuries to a cat - in the same road as two similar attacks in the past 15 months.

The Daily Echo reported in January last year that cats belonging to two residents, who live doors apart in Foxholes Road in Oakdale, were left badly injured after boiling hot water was poured over them.

Sarah Cutler, who came forward after discovering the attack on her cat Lavender in October 2016 had not been an isolated incident, has seen her younger cat Pip become the latest victim of what she describes as a “cowardly” act similar to the previous incidents.

The tortoiseshell cat, who is the daughter of Lavender, was treated by veterinary experts People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) after boiling water was poured over her on January 3.

“People have to be aware to keep their cats inside because it is just not safe,” she said.

“It seems like it could be same people attacking the cats in exactly the same way. They must be someone very sick and cowardly.

“It is just upsetting because there doesn’t seem to be anywhere safe for cats in this area.

“Someone is on a campaign to damage these cats as much as possible. They are such small defenceless animals.

“Now three cats have been attacked in the same road - it’s just not a safe place for them. A lot of cats have been reported missing as well which is concerning.”

Sarah said Lavender, whose treatment cost £700, has never been the same since the attack on Halloween of 2016.

Hair has not grown back on the cat’s head or back and she remains at risk of infection for the rest of her life.

Pip is being treated regularly by vets at PDSA, who said the full extent of the damage caused by scalding are not always immediately apparent.

Stella Hughes, head nurse at Bournemouth PDSA Pet Hospital, said: “Pip had an extremely high temperature when she was brought to us and was traumatised. We used various techniques and gave her intravenous fluids to help reduce her temperature and stabilise her. She was given strong pain killers to make her comfortable.

“So far, we can see the skin at the tips of her ears and on the scruff of her neck are affected. But this is likely just the start, and we’re expecting further signs of her ordeal to become visible in the days ahead, with more patches of damaged skin revealing themselves.

“This kind of damage is incredibly painful, so we’re giving her strong pain relief, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medicines to prevent infection.

“Pip’s wounds need to be bathed three times a day to clean away any dead tissue and we’re seeing her every few days to check her progress and give further treatment as required. Her trauma is both physical and mental.

“Sadly, this is the third incident on the same street that we have heard of over the past two years. It’s heart-breaking to think of the amount of pain and suffering Pip and other cats are being subjected to through no fault of their own.

“I’d urge anyone with information to contact the RSPCA and Dorset Police.”

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “It’s shocking to think anyone could treat a defenceless animal in such a cruel and callous manner.

“We urge anyone with information to contact the Police on 101, or the RSPCA Inspectorate Appeal Line on 0300 123 8018.”

The latest attack has been reported to police and they have been seen doing door-to-door enquires in Foxholes Road.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “At around 2pm on Wednesday, January 3 Dorset Police received a report from a resident in Foxholes Road, Poole, that somebody had poured boiling water over their cat.

“It is not known exactly where the offence occurred as the victim was only able to say that they saw the cat returning to their back garden after it had been injured.

“It is believe the offence occurred between 8am and 10am on Wednesday 3 January 2018. An investigation is ongoing into this incident. There have been no arrests at this stage.”

Police confirmed in both previous cases an investigation was carried out, but no arrests were ever made.