Two cats had their testicles tied off with rubber bands, a horrific form of animal abuse.
The cats’ testicles were tied with rubber bands during two separate attacks in Canberra, in what Michelle Robertson, chief executive of the RSPCA ACT, described as “horrific”.
“We are aware of two separate incidents where the testicles of male cats were tied very tightly at the base with elastic bands,” Ms Robertson told the ABC.
“It’s incredibly painful, incredibly cruel.”
One of the cats was taken to the RSPCA animal shelter in the Australian Capital Territory in late August and treated by vets.
“We were able to help that cat … address the infection, and the cat is healthy and doing very well,” Mrs. Robertson said. “But it shouldn’t have happened.”
It happened again last week, when another cat that had been attacked in a similar manner was taken to the local vet.
“We are very concerned that there are two separate incidents involving a very similar horrific situation,” Ms Robertson said.
Two cats have been subjected to horrific cruelty in Canberra’s north in recent weeks, with the RSPCA appealing for information to help solve the crimes. One of the cats is pictured
“Animals feel pain. You can imagine what it would feel like if this happened to a human.”
According to the ACT RSPCA, both cats were attacked in the Charnwood area, in Canberra’s Belconnen region.
The organization is investigating the possible motive for this cruelty to the cats.
“It could have been misinformation, or people who were really desperate and wanted to prevent their cat from reproducing,” she said.
“It could also just have been malice.”
If whoever did this to the cats is found, they could face charges of aggravated animal cruelty.
“I am saddened to report that we do see terrible things and I hope I can live in a world where we don’t see these terrible things,” Ms Robertson said.
The RSPCA urged pet owners to seek veterinary advice for medical intervention and said tail docking with elastic bands is not approved for any species except for medical reasons.