10:00am Thursday 18th March 2010
By Lucy Pearce
A CHILDREN’S pet was savagely kicked and left for dead in a vicious attack.
The 14-month-old cat is fighting for its life after losing an eye and suffering multiple fractures.
Alfie belongs to the Cummings family in Weymouth and mum-of-six Rachel said she believes her pet was subject to a serious case of animal cruelty. Police are investigating the attack and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
He was discovered covered in blood by Mrs Cummings, 32, of Lynch Road on Saturday night.
He was taken to Fielding and Cumber Veterinary Surgeons on Chickerell Road for emergency surgery.
He is still in a critical condition and may require a further operation.
Mrs Cummings said that her children were distraught after seeing their pet in such pain.
She said that thinking about the suffering her pet is going through is ‘very upsetting’. She added: “To think that our cat has actually been kicked with such force is just horrible.
“The vet said it couldn’t have been a car accident because there would have been injuries to his body.
“It seems like he has literally been booted.
“When I found him in the kitchen there was blood everywhere and his eye was hanging out.
“My two boys were absolutely sobbing and my three youngest daughters were in tears.
“I am just so angry at what somebody could do.
“It is just disgusting.”
Julie Rickin, the veterinary surgeon who operated on Alfie, confirmed the cat’s injuries consisted of a cracked palate, a broken jaw and a lost eye.
She added: “He has a severe trauma to his head and he’s had to have extensive surgery.
“Something would have had to hit him on his head with quite a high speed.”
Mrs Cummings admitted she did not have any pet insurance and is concerned that she will not be able to fork out for expensive veterinary bills.
The family named the cat Alfie after their local chippie, Alf’s Fish and Chips shop, at Fiveways.
Animal rescue centre Paws, which has a cat shelter in Weymouth, has already come forward to donate £50 towards the fees.
Chairman Myra Moyse from Paws described the circumstances as ‘horrendous’ and added that if the charity can help, ‘it always will’.
Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses and if anyone has any information they should contact 01305 222222.
A Dorset Police spokesman said: “The vet has confirmed the injuries were consistent with it being kicked.
“The cat has had an eye removed and sustained fractures to its mouth and is critically ill.
“We’d appeal for anyone who witnessed anybody mistreating a cat to come forward.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/trade_directory/