Neighbourhood cat with (probably) negligent owner

mikeymikec

Lifer
May 19, 2011
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Updates further down the thread.

I don't think there's much we can do about this, though we are trying.

In the neighbourhood we've moved to in the last year, a cat regularly visits us like domesticated cats tend to do. In the last few weeks this cat has picked up two injuries about 1-2 weeks apart.

The first injury looked more worrying to begin with as it looked like one of the cat's claws had been torn off (a bloody mess at the end of the paw including what looked like exposed bone, but since I'm not a vet I could be mistaken). The first time I saw it I was worried as it was extremely fresh at that point (the blood was a bright colour so it must have happened that day) , however as the cat was walking fine (albeit with a slight limp), the injury was very noticeable, and the cat's temperament was normal and it was eating (sometimes this cat sneaked past me when I'm going outside and helps itself to our cat's food - I've since grown wise to this), I figured that its owner would notice soon enough and take them to the vet. A day or two later, the injury is still there evidently untreated (and also I'm pretty sure a vet would have told the owner to keep the cat indoors until the injury site has healed up a bit more), and I thought "maybe they'll notice it at the weekend?". Cat was still walking around OK.

The second injury happened a week or two later I think (though its possible I may not have noticed it when my attention was taken by the first injury). The cat is missing a portion of fur from its tail, but this injury is more worrying because it's pretty obvious that the cat is no longer able to control the tail from the injury site onwards. As I'm pretty sure this can mean necrotic tissue and subsequent infections, after at least a week had passed, when I saw my chance I lured the cat into a cat carrier and took it to the vet. I also rang the RSCPA and logged the case so that the charity could help fund the treatment should the cat be a stray.

It turned out the cat was microchipped and that it was registered with another local vet. The owner apparently came to pick it up, saying their vet would treat it, and after I saw the cat looking exactly the same a day or two later (though it is still evidently active and has an appetite), I rang our vet and the owner's vet. Our vet quickly didn't want to say any more citing confidentiality and it seemed pretty clear from the owner's vet's reaction that they had not seen the cat at any time recently.

It's been a couple of weeks since the tail injury and while we're slightly less worried that the cat seems to be in good spirits and the injury sites don't seem to have worsened then maybe the cat won't get hit with a serious infection. My wife is going to pursue this a bit further with the RSPCA but I don't think there's much more we can do about it. It just makes me think that the cat's owner is probably one of those people who thinks pets are disposable/replaceable rather than getting them the treatment they need.
 
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Perknose

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It just makes me think that the cat's owner is probably one of those people who thinks pets are disposable/replaceable rather than getting them the treatment they need.
People like this have a special place in Hell reserved just for them.
 
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Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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Well vets can be expensive, as far as i know it is still law in alot of places to have to provide vet care for your pets. I would check local laws on the subject and get the authorities involved if possible.

Or go with the suggestion above and remove the microchip and enjoy your new cat.
 

Perknose

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Well vets can be expensive, as far as i know it is still law in alot of places to have to provide vet care for your pets. I would check local laws on the subject and get the authorities involved if possible.

Or go with the suggestion above and remove the microchip and enjoy your new cat.
Not necessarily "a lot of states."

Several states go further by requiring that owners also give their animals needed veterinary care, exercise, sanitary conditions, and protection from the weather. But some laws add conditions that could make it hard to convict someone of animal neglect. In Washington State, for example, pet owners may face misdemeanor charges if they don’t give their animals needed shelter, sanitation, space, rest, or medical attention—but only if the animals suffered unnecessary or unjustified pain as a result, and only if the owners acted intentionally, recklessly, or with criminal negligence. And Washingtonians can defend themselves against neglect charges by proving that their own financial distress prevented them from caring properly for their pets.

Mostly, pets are still considered merely property, with few rights and protections of their own. That is changing, though . . . as we extend "civilization" past its present, homo sapien centric boundaries.
 

[DHT]Osiris

Lifer
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Remove the chip, enjoy your new cat.
I'd likely go with this, personally.

The cat might be fine, in terms of health (there's a reason they have that whole '9 lives' thing). The tail thing could be concerning if it actually gets infected, it should see a vet either way.

Thinking more, I'd probably just take it in and foot the bill if it were me, maybe start pellet-gunning random breakable objects outside the owner's house until I felt that the tab was balanced out.
 

JoeBleed

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Jun 27, 2000
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the second injury sounds like a typical cyst at the base of the tail. if it is indeed at the base of the tail and not further up. They can heal on their own sometimes. in the case of that location, it can render their back legs near useless. possibly worse if left unchecked i'd guess. One of mine got like that because his fur was fine and he didn't show any other signs of discomfort. I never noticed it until i saw him having a hard time keeping his ass lined up with is front and had a bit of a stumble. one emergency vet trip later, i found out what it was. It wasn't his first, nor last; but that's the worst one i've seen. It's apparently a common place to get bitten when in a fight with another cat. One of my others had the same thing on the first joint from his front paw. was thinking he had managed to break his foot.

Good luck and hope you can help the cat.
 

mikeymikec

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May 19, 2011
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Updates:

1) We found out who the owner is about a month or two ago, so there's that.

2) The cat has recently had its whole tail amputated (professionally at least, there's still some stitches left). What's left looks OK.
 
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Perknose

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You are a good man, mikeymikec.

This is the way we who have morals and standards and a conscience make our way in the world, fighting the good fight and doing the right thing every damn chance we get, no matter how seemingly small each instance is, and no matter the slacker lowlifes around us.

There may or may not be a Deity, and there may or may not be an objective truth, but it is up to us, each and every one of us, to live our lives as though there is, and so, collectively, bring order and "justice" and compassion into being . . . simply by living our lives as though there is.

You are a good man, mikeymikec!

I salute you!
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