Cruel prank that cost a beloved Winton pet its tail (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cruel prank that cost a beloved Winton pet its tail

12:00pm Friday 30th July 2010 in

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A MUM of three has slammed cruel pranksters who caused her cat’s tail to be amputated after they wrapped a hair band around it.

Emma Harris, 27, says three-year-old Jack, normally a house cat, escaped through the window of the family home at Osborne Road, Winton, after it was opened in the hot weather.

When he came back they saw the pet had a band wrapped tightly around his tail and took him to the PDSA PetAid Hospital in Castle Lane West, Bournemouth.

Vets initially believed that Jack’s tail was fine but a few weeks later horrified Emma saw that part of the tail was “hanging off”.

He was rushed to the emergency vets where three-quarters of his tail was amputated.

Emma said: “It was obvious a child hadn’t done it – the band was so tight. The vets checked him over and said he still had movement in his tail and it seemed to be all right.

“But over the last few weeks it started to look scabby so I had been keeping an eye on it. On Saturday we came home and his whole tail was hanging off. We had to take him to the emergency vets with it being Saturday.”

Despite his ordeal, Jack is making a good recovery.

Added Emma: “I just think these people are cruel and sick. Why would someone want to do that to a defenceless animal?

“He is a big softy and would go to anyone and obviously someone has taken advantage of his good nature.”

A spokesperson for the PDSA said they were unable to comment on individual cases but added that it was “rare” for pets to become a target of a cruel act when they were outside.

She added: “If you have reason to believe that your pet has been deliberately hurt in any way, it is important to report it to the local police and your local vet in order to raise awareness of the risk to other animals and encourage all pet owners to be vigilant.”