A DISTRAUGHT Neyland woman is urging other pet owners to be vigilant, after her 18-month old cat lost a leg in a suspected animal trap, and had to be put down.

Mum-of-one Taylor-lee Ellis opened her front door at around 5am on Thursday morning to find her cat Whiskers ‘crying’ in the street.

As the cat crawled towards her, Ms Ellis said she could hear the exposed bone ‘from where her leg used to be’ dragging across the floor.

After an emergency appointment with Fenton Vets, it was revealed that Whiskers had not only lost a leg, but also sustained a broken pelvis, a broken leg, and a snapped tail, and had to be put down.

Ruling out a car accident, or attack from another animal, the vet, said Ms Ellis, told her Whiskers’ injuries were likely a result of a ‘cat trap’.

Based on the fact that Whiskers was able to make it home, despite her horrendous injuries, Ms Ellis said she believes the trap must be in a nearby garden, and is warning other pet owners to keep a close eye on their animals.

“I’ve been horrified,” said Ms Ellis. “If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”

The incident has been reported to the RSPCA, which is appealing to anyone with information to contact them on 0300 123 8018. Calls are treated in confidence.

“Our sympathies go out to the cat’s owner following this awful incident, said an RSPCA spokesman.”

“We don’t know how the cat received this horrendous injury, but as suggested by the vet it may have been caused by a trap.

“Sadly, traps are used usually set to catch a fox or rabbit, but its victim is quite often a badger, cat or dog.

“The RSPCA is opposed to the manufacture, sale and use of all snares and any traps which cause suffering.

“While the use of gin traps has been illegal in the UK since 1958, some are still being used to catch animals such as rabbits and foxes.

“Gin traps are mechanical traps designed to catch an animal by its leg, using spring-operated jaws with teeth or a serrated edge.

“Domestic animals often fall foul of gin traps, but it is illegal to cause any animal to suffer by using them. The sale or possession of such traps is not illegal, but the RSPCA wants to make people aware that they can face prosecution by setting a gin trap.

“Anyone found guilty of setting a gin trap faces a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months in prison.”

If you spot an animal in distress, please call the RSPCA's 24-hour helpline on 0300 1234 999.